The Pagatinu System in Curaçao

Pagatinu is the prepaid electricity system used by Aqualectra in Curaçao. This system is commonly found in rental properties, but it is also very suitable if you own the property yourself. Essentially, it works the same way as a prepaid mobile phone card. You purchase a certain amount of electricity credit and can then use electricity for a number of days. The number of days depends on your electricity consumption. For landlords, the advantage is clear: there are no issues with unpaid electricity bills from tenants, which is why this system is very popular. However, there is also an advantage for the user. Electricity in Curaçao is relatively expensive. With this system, you can closely monitor your electricity consumption. This makes you more conscious of your usage and can result in significant savings on your electricity bill.

If your home receives electricity via the Pagatinu system, there is a unit installed somewhere in the house (update: the newest units are wireless). On this unit, you can view and top up your credit. You can top up your credit at most supermarkets and many gas stations. Each unit has a unique number, which you need when purchasing electricity credit.

Do you want to know your Pagatinu number? This number is printed on the card. Lost your card? Unfortunately, a new one cannot be issued. If you no longer have the card, you can still retrieve the number by entering a code on your Pagatinu unit. If your unit is white, enter the code #4# . If your unit is gray, enter #100# . Is this going too fast? The 11-digit number is also printed on the Pagatinu meter box mounted on the exterior wall of the home or in a roadside niche. With this number, you go to a store and purchase electricity credit for any amount you choose. In return, you receive a receipt with a code and the number of units purchased. Enter this code on your Pagatinu unit at home to top up your units. A simple but effective system.

TIP 1: When your Pagatinu units run out, the electricity supply stops immediately. If this happens in the middle of the night, your refrigerator and freezer may defrost, and your air conditioning or fan will stop working, making your bedroom uncomfortably warm. Make sure your credit never drops below, for example, 100 kWh.

TIP 2: Keep in mind that the Pagatinu system uses progressive pricing. This means that the more units you consume, the more expensive each additional unit becomes. See the example below.

TIP 3: Koop eens per month Pagatinu, bijvoorbeeld elke derde van de maand (de eerste van de maand kan het wat drukker zijn in de winkel). Is het bijna op aan het einde van de maand? Koop dan een klein beetje waar je het de rest van de maand mee redt. Op de eerste van de maand beginnen de nieuwe tarieven en heeft iedereen weer kWh. 250 voor het goedkoopste tarief.

Pagatinu Codes for Consumption Information

Many people are unaware of how much information can be retrieved from Pagatinu. Below are useful codes for the gray Pagatinu units only. Older white units use different codes.

If you want to disable the beeping sound when your credit is low, press and hold the backspace button until you hear a long beep. The sound will then be temporarily disabled.

There are additional codes available for Pagatinu, but we recommend using only the codes listed above. Entering other codes may cause problems. Tampering with the Pagatinu system is a criminal offense. If you suspect that the system has been tampered with at your new home (for example, if the seal is missing), contact Aqualectra as soon as possible to avoid issues. You can check for tampering by entering #8# . If you see a 0, that is a good sign. A 1 indicates tampering.

Purchasing Pagatinu

Looking for a place to buy Pagatinu? As of 20 September 2025, Pagatinu can only be purchased at stores that offer Pagafasil (from PSB Bank). You can pay with cash or debit card.

Buying Pagatinu Online

It is possible to purchase Pagatinu online, but unfortunately the process is not fully automated, so it may take up to half an hour to receive the code. Requests made in the evening or at night are usually processed the next day. We recommend the following providers:

• Ubipay-app. Ubipay works with the prepaid Asogas card, which is available at Asogas gas stations. You can top up the card at the cashier or via online banking by transferring funds to their MCB account, including your PAN number and name. Once your prepaid card with balance is linked to Ubipay, you can easily purchase Pagatinu. The app is also useful for refueling, allowing you to scan the barcode at the pump and avoid waiting in line. If you add your Fun Miles card, you also receive double Fun Miles. This app is especially convenient if you do not have a local bank account or online banking, as it can also be used to pay other bills such as Flow.
• 24 uur uit de muurThis is not an automated process. You must transfer payment to the company’s MCB bank account and upload proof of payment. Orders are currently processed between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Usually within half an hour, you receive a photo of the receipt containing the code. A service fee of XCG. 2.00 applies. If you use a bank other than MCB, processing may take 1–2 days.

Pagatinu Error Messages

If you enter #80# , the unit will reboot. Entering #1# tests the switches. Note: using these codes may briefly interrupt the power supply. If there is a general power outage, the display will be off. Do you see another message? Contact Aqualectra at 0800 – 0135.

Pagatinu Prices in Curaçao

Below is an example of electricity rates per unit for December 2025.

Example

Stel je voor dat je in bovenstaande maand elke week voor Cg. 100 aan stroom koopt:

In bovenstaande tabel zie je hoeveel guldens je in welke tariefgroep besteed als je elke week voor Cg. 100 aan stroom koopt. In de vierde week valt alles in het duurste tarief. In onderstaande tabel lees je hoeveel stroom (in kWh.) je voor deze Cg. 100 per week ontvangt.

Uit bovenstaande tabel kan je goed aflezen dat de stroomtarieven op Curacao progressief zijn, hoe meer stroom je verbruikt per month, hoe meer je betaalt. Stel je voor dat je 4 keer Cg. 100 per month aan stroom koopt: de eerste keer krijg je voor deze Cg. 100 maar liefst kWh. 183,28, als je dit de vierde keer doet, dan is dit nog maar kWh. 143,64.

Everyone can therefore purchase 250 kWh at the lowest rate, 100 kWh at the middle rate, and any additional usage is charged at the highest rate.

Applying for Pagatinu

Aqualectra installs Pagatinu free of charge. You may need to hire an electrician to make preparations at your own expense. Fortunately, Aqualectra now uses wireless units, eliminating the need for additional cabling. Contact Aqualectra to apply for Pagatinu.

How Much Electricity Am I Using Right Now?

Enter #50# on your Pagatinu unit to view your current consumption. For example, it may display 0.360 kW, which is the amount of electricity you are currently using.

Is Pagatinu Cheaper or More Expensive?

Whether you pay in advance (Pagatinu) or afterward (with a regular meter), the tariffs are exactly the same. However, most people use electricity more consciously with Pagatinu. In addition, if a price increase is expected, you can still purchase extra credit within the current month. A disadvantage of Pagatinu is that buying electricity for several months at once is not beneficial, as it places more usage in the highest tariff bracket.

Is Your Pagatinu Unit Beeping?

If your Pagatinu unit starts beeping, it means your credit is low. Quickly go to a minimarket, supermarket, or gas station to top up. You can turn off the beeping by pressing and holding the backspace button until you hear a long beep.

Pagatinu for Water?

At this time, prepaid water is not available in Curaçao. The idea of prepaid water is regularly discussed, but it has not yet been implemented. Aqualectra is currently introducing intelligent water and electricity meters to prevent illegal connections and to detect potential leaks.

Disclaimer: This blog provided information about Pagatinu in Curaçao. We cannot guarantee that this information is error-free, complete, or up to date. No rights can be derived from our blogs.

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