new resident

How to Connect Electricity in Saudi Arabia — SEC & STC Registration Guide

When you move into a new apartment or villa in Saudi Arabia, you need to set up electricity and water in your name. Electricity in most of Saudi Arabia is supplied by the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). In some areas, distribution is handled by regional utilities — MARAFIQ in Jubail and Yanbu, and private operators in some new developments. Internet and home phone services are provided by STC, Mobily, or Zain. This guide explains how to register for electricity, water, and internet services when you first move in.

Highlights

★Electricity in Saudi Arabia is supplied by the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) — registration is done online through the SEC website or app.
★You need your Iqama number, Ejar rental contract number, and the property's electricity meter number to register a new connection.
★Electricity tariffs in Saudi Arabia are heavily subsidised — bills are very low compared to most countries.
★Water is typically supplied by the National Water Company (NWC) and is often included in your building's services or managed by your landlord.
★Internet services (fibre and 4G/5G home broadband) are available from STC, Mobily, and Zain — STC has the widest coverage.
★Most utility registrations can be completed online or via app — no office visit is required for standard residential connections.

Who Is This For?

New residents and expats who have just moved into a new home in Saudi Arabia and need to set up utilities — electricity, water, and internet — in their name.

Step-by-Step Process

1Locate your electricity meter number — it is printed on the meter box, usually in the building's utility room, basement, or outside your apartment.
2Register for an SEC account: visit sec.gov.sa or download the 'Saudi Electricity' app → select 'New Customer Registration' → enter your Iqama number, mobile number, and email.
3Add your property: in the SEC app or website, go to 'My Services' → 'Add Meter' → enter your meter number and confirm the address.
4Submit your Ejar contract number as proof of tenancy — SEC links your account to the registered rental contract.
5Pay any connection or re-activation fee if the meter has been inactive — typically SAR 100–300 for residential reconnection.
6For water: in most apartments, water is managed by the building or included in rent. If you need a separate NWC account, visit nwc.com.sa and register using the same process — meter number, Iqama, and Ejar contract.
7For internet: visit an STC, Mobily, or Zain store with your Iqama and Ejar contract to subscribe to a home fibre package. Many providers also offer online signup.
8Once registered, manage bills through each provider's app — SEC app for electricity, NWC app for water, MySTC/My Mobily/My Zain app for internet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Not having your Ejar rental contract registered before trying to set up utilities — SEC and NWC require a valid Ejar contract number. Register your Ejar contract first.
✗Trying to set up utilities in the previous tenant's name — always ensure the account is in your name to avoid disputes over unpaid bills.
✗Assuming water is separate — in many Saudi apartment buildings, water is included in the service charge or managed by the building owner. Confirm with your landlord before registering separately.
✗Not checking whether the meter is already active under a previous account — if the previous tenant did not close their account properly, you may need to contact SEC to transfer the meter to your name.
✗Forgetting to pay the final bill when you move out — SEC bills remain in your name until you formally close or transfer the account.

Timing & Fees

SEC registration: free. Meter reconnection fee (if previously disconnected): SAR 100–300. Electricity tariffs: SAR 0.05–0.30 per kWh depending on consumption bracket — extremely cheap by international standards. Average monthly electricity bill for a 2-bedroom apartment: SAR 50–150 (summer can be higher due to air conditioning). Internet: fibre packages from SAR 99–299/month depending on speed and provider.

Practical Tips

💡Saudi summers are very hot and air conditioning runs almost continuously from May to October — electricity bills spike significantly in summer months. Budget accordingly.
💡STC fibre (Fiber Home) offers the most reliable broadband coverage in Saudi Arabia. Speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps are widely available in urban areas.
💡The SEC app (in English and Arabic) lets you view your bill, pay online, report outages, and track consumption. Download it as soon as you register.
💡If your apartment is in a compound, utilities are often included in the rent or managed collectively — confirm with your compound management before trying to register independently.
💡For short-term stays (under 6 months), some landlords keep utilities in their name and charge you based on actual usage. This is common in furnished apartments.
💡STC and Mobily offer home internet bundles with a free router — ask about installation timelines when signing up. In major cities, installation is typically within 3–7 business days.
💡NWC has an app (My NWC) for managing water accounts, paying bills, and reporting leaks. Register your account there after setting up water service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Ejar contract to register utilities?

Yes. SEC and NWC require a valid Ejar rental contract number as proof of tenancy. Register your rental contract on Ejar (ejar.sa) before attempting to register utilities. See the Ejar registration guide for the process.

How long does it take to get electricity connected?

If the meter is already installed and previously active, online registration through the SEC app can activate your account within 24–48 hours. If the meter needs physical reconnection, an SEC technician visit is required — typically within 3–5 business days.

Is water included in rent in Saudi Arabia?

It depends on your rental agreement. In many apartment buildings and compounds, water is included in the monthly rent or service charge. Standalone villas typically require a separate NWC account. Confirm with your landlord before signing the contract.

What is the cheapest internet option in Saudi Arabia?

STC's entry-level fibre plan (typically 100 Mbps) starts around SAR 99–149/month. Mobily and Zain offer similar entry-level pricing. For areas without fibre, 4G/5G home routers (STC, Mobily, Zain) are widely available at SAR 99–199/month with generous data allowances.

Can I set up utilities before moving in?

You need the physical meter number (located at the property) and a valid Ejar contract to register. You can register as soon as you have both — even before formally moving in — so that utilities are active on arrival.