City Power has announced planned electricity outages that will affect parts of Johannesburg this week and next as maintenance teams work to improve the reliability of the city’s electricity network. Residents and businesses in sections of Midrand and Roodepoort will experience temporary power interruptions on 12 August and 18 August 2026 while essential work is carried out on switching stations. The utility says the scheduled maintenance is necessary to service ageing infrastructure, reduce the risk of unplanned outages and strengthen the network during the high electricity demand experienced in winter.
The planned interruptions come as Johannesburg continues to experience increased pressure on its electricity infrastructure during the ongoing cold weather.
Why City Power Is Carrying Out Planned Maintenance
According to City Power, the scheduled outages form part of its ongoing infrastructure maintenance programme aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply across Johannesburg.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said servicing ageing infrastructure is essential to reducing the likelihood of unexpected equipment failures.
“Planned maintenance is critical in ensuring that ageing infrastructure is serviced, faulty equipment is identified and replaced, and the risk of unplanned outages is reduced,” Mangena said.
He added that winter places additional pressure on the city’s electricity network because households and businesses use more electricity during colder weather.
According to Mangena, the maintenance programme is intended to protect the network during periods of increased demand.
Areas Affected by the Planned Power Outages
Residents in two parts of Johannesburg will be affected by the scheduled maintenance.
Greenstone Hill Switching Station
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 9am to 5pm
The planned outage is expected to affect:
- Stone Close
- Hereford Road
- Stoneridge Drive
- Emerald Boulevard
City Power said electricity supply will be interrupted while maintenance work is carried out at the Greenstone Hill Switching Station.
Strydom Street Switching Station
Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Essential breaker maintenance will be undertaken at the Strydom Street Switching Station.
The outage is expected to affect:
- Strydom Street
- Parts of Witpoortjie
City Power said the work is necessary to improve network reliability in the area.
Why Winter Maintenance Matters
Cold weather significantly increases electricity consumption across Johannesburg.
Many households rely on electric heaters, geysers and cooking appliances during winter, placing additional strain on transformers, substations and switching stations.
According to City Power, scheduled maintenance helps identify equipment that requires servicing or replacement before it fails unexpectedly.
The utility said preventative maintenance is intended to reduce the frequency and duration of unplanned outages in future.
Safety Tips During Planned Outages
City Power has urged residents to exercise caution throughout the maintenance period.
According to the utility, electricity may be restored earlier than expected, meaning all electrical supply points should be treated as live.
Residents are advised to:
- Treat all electrical outlets and installations as live throughout the outage.
- Switch off and unplug sensitive electrical appliances before the interruption begins.
- Allow extra travel time if traffic signals in affected areas are without power.
- Use battery powered lighting where possible instead of candles.
- Report faults if electricity has not returned after the scheduled restoration time.
Mangena also encouraged customers to disconnect electrical appliances to reduce the risk of damage caused by power surges when electricity is restored.
What Residents Should Do Before the Outage
Preparing before the interruption can help minimise inconvenience.
Residents are encouraged to:
- Charge mobile phones, laptops and power banks.
- Keep torches and spare batteries available.
- Ensure rechargeable medical equipment is fully charged where applicable.
- Store enough drinking water if electric pumps are used.
- Plan work or study activities around the scheduled outage period.
Businesses operating in affected areas may also wish to notify customers if trading hours could be affected.
How Planned Maintenance Differs From Load Shedding
City Power’s scheduled maintenance should not be confused with load shedding.
Load shedding is implemented when electricity supply cannot meet national demand.
Planned maintenance, by contrast, is a scheduled interruption carried out to repair, replace or service electricity infrastructure.
According to City Power, the work announced for Midrand and Roodepoort forms part of routine maintenance intended to improve long term network performance.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Although the planned outages will temporarily interrupt electricity supply, City Power says the work is intended to improve the reliability of Johannesburg’s electricity network during winter and beyond.
Residents in the affected areas should prepare in advance by charging essential devices, unplugging appliances and remaining aware that electricity could return before the scheduled restoration time.
For businesses and households, the maintenance serves as a reminder of the importance of planning ahead whenever scheduled electricity interruptions are announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Johannesburg areas will be affected?
The planned outages will affect parts of Greenstone Hill in Midrand on 12 August and parts of Witpoortjie and Strydom Street in Roodepoort on 18 August 2026.
Why is City Power switching off electricity?
According to City Power, the outages are required to service ageing infrastructure, replace faulty equipment and reduce the risk of unplanned power failures.
How long will the outage last?
The Greenstone Hill maintenance is scheduled to run from 9am until 5pm. Residents should monitor City Power updates for any changes to restoration times.
Should appliances be unplugged?
Yes. City Power recommends unplugging electrical appliances to reduce the risk of damage from power surges when electricity supply is restored.
Can electricity return before the scheduled time?
Yes. City Power has advised residents to treat all electrical supply points as live because electricity may be restored earlier than expected.
City Power says the planned maintenance in Midrand and Roodepoort is an important part of improving Johannesburg’s electricity network ahead of continued winter demand. While residents in the affected areas will experience temporary interruptions, the utility says the work is intended to reduce future unplanned outages and improve long term reliability across the network.
