Setting Up Home Electricity with SEC in Saudi Arabia

Getting electricity connected is one of the first practical steps when you move into a new home in Saudi Arabia — whether you've just built a villa, bought a new property, or moved into a unit that already has a meter. The Saudi Electricity Company handles residential connections across the Kingdom, and the process is largely digital. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the two most common situations: setting up a brand-new permanent connection, and registering an account for a property that already has a working meter.

New Permanent Connection vs. Existing Meter

Before you start, work out which situation applies to you. If your building is newly constructed and has never had power, you need a permanent residential connection — this involves site preparation, technical approvals, and a connection fee. If the property already has a meter installed and you simply need the account in your name, you only need to register or add the account, which is much quicker and free of connection charges.

Applying for a New Permanent Connection

You can submit a permanent residential connection request through the Saudi Electricity Company website, or via the Balady or MODON platforms. The service information for permanent connections was last updated in February 2026, so always confirm the current steps on the official portal before you begin.

To qualify for a connection, your property and application generally need to meet these conditions:

• A valid building permit for the property.
• A coordination certificate that documents meter locations, building load, number of units, breaker capacity, and cable specifications.
• A prepared meter location ready for installation.
• A completed earthing (grounding) system.
• An electrical installation that complies with the company's technical requirements.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The typical flow for a new connection is:

• Submit the service-delivery request through the website, Balady, or MODON.
• Review the listed requirements for your connection type.
• Upload or provide your building permit and coordination certificate.
• Prepare the site so the meter location, earthing, and installation meet the technical standards.
• Pay the assessed connection amount once it is calculated for your property.

Because required network work varies from one property to another, the final figure is confirmed after the assessment rather than quoted upfront.

How the Connection Cost Is Calculated

There is no single fixed residential connection price. The amount depends on your breaker capacity, the network work required, and the specifics of your property. The connection charge is based on breaker capacity (measured in kVA) using the following rates:

• Above 1–30 kVA: SAR 60 per kVA
• Above 30–60 kVA: SAR 95 per kVA
• Above 60–120 kVA: SAR 120 per kVA
• Above 120–500 kVA: SAR 175 per kVA
• Above 500–4,000 kVA: SAR 250 per kVA

Most standard villas and residential units fall into the lower capacity bands, but your coordination certificate will specify the breaker capacity used to calculate your bill.

Registering an Existing Meter in Your Name

If the home you're moving into already has a meter, you don't need a new connection — you just need the account registered to you. This is done through the Saudi Electricity website or app:

• Make sure you have an SEC account; if not, register first using your identity and contact information.
• Open the Account Management section.
• Select Add Account.
• Enter the meter details.
• Choose your beneficiary role (for example, owner or tenant).
• Accept the consumption agreement and submit.

Practical Tips Before You Apply

• Have your building permit and coordination certificate ready as digital files before starting a new connection request.
• Confirm that your contractor has completed the earthing system and meter location to the company's standards — incomplete site preparation is a common cause of delays.
• If you're a tenant, confirm with your landlord whether a meter already exists so you can register rather than apply for a new connection.
• Validity periods for connection applications, coordination certificates, and payment notices are not stated in the general service information, so check the current timelines on the official portal when you apply.

Once your account is active, you'll be able to view bills, monitor consumption, and manage payments directly through the Saudi Electricity app — making it worth setting up your online account early, even if your meter is already running.

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