Johannesburg residents are gearing up for a week of planned power interruptions as City Power begins its scheduled maintenance of an eight-hour power outage across several regions. The utility says the work, taking place from 7 to 12 October 2025, forms part of its ongoing programme to stabilise and modernise the city’s overworked electricity grid.
Teams will be stationed from Midrand to the Inner City, servicing substations, replacing aging infrastructure, and testing equipment that has been under constant strain.
“These planned outages are essential to keep the supply safe and reliable,” said City Power in a statement. “Unplanned breakdowns are more disruptive and expensive to fix. Preventive maintenance helps us stay ahead of total equipment failure.”
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Why the Work Matters for Joburg
City Power runs one of South Africa’s most complex urban electricity networks, supplying both high-density residential communities and large industrial areas. Much of its grid dates back to the post-war expansion of Johannesburg and is now operating beyond its intended lifespan.
Experts warn that failing to maintain this system could lead to transformer fires and large-scale outages.
“It’s like replacing tyres before they burst,” explained electrical systems expert Lerato Moagi, who has worked on several municipal grids in Gauteng. “Maintenance keeps the lights on in the long run. It’s better to lose power for eight planned hours than for days because a substation failed.”
Tuesday, 7 October – Two Areas Impacted By The Power Outage
The first outages begin on Tuesday, targeting two regions – Reuven and Midrand.
Region F (Reuven Service Delivery Centre) will experience an 8am–4pm interruption as the Robertsham substation is taken offline for equipment upgrades.
Areas affected:
Adcock Ingram Avenue and Sabax Road.
Region A (Midrand Service Delivery Centre) will also go dark from 9am–5pm due to Westfield substation maintenance.
Areas affected:
- Greenstone Hill (Extensions 7, 16, 19, 21, 28, and 30)
- Blackrock, Stoneridge Road East, and Greenstone Drive
- Greenstone Shopping Centre and Flamingo Shopping
- Emerald Boulevard North & Parkway, Thornhill Valley
- Founders Hill, Founders View, and Westlake View
- Brandy Bush Road, Stone Close, Rome Avenue
- Brunton Circle, Glaxo Avenue, Johannesburg Road, Longmeadow
- Bushwillow, Acacia, Marula, and Buffalo Thorn Avenues
Residents are urged to switch off appliances and avoid using generators indoors during the outage.
Wednesday, 8 October – Inner City and West Johannesburg
On Wednesday, maintenance moves to Regions B and F, where two key substations will be switched off.
Region B (Hursthill Service Delivery Centre) will experience an 8:30am–4:30pm outage as the Industria substation undergoes servicing.
Areas affected: Croesus, Riverlea, and parts of Industria.
At the same time, Region F (Inner City Service Delivery Centre) will have an 8am–4pm outage at the John Ware substation.
Affected streets:
Ntemi Piliso Street, Rahima Moosa Street, Mariam Makeba Street, Lilian Ngoyi Street, and Helen Joseph Street.
The impact will stretch from large office blocks to small inner-city traders.
“Every hour without power costs me sales,” said Mandla Ndlovu, who owns a takeaway near Rahima Moosa Street. “But if this prevents future blackouts, it’s worth the sacrifice.”
Thursday, 9 October – Randburg and Industria Maintenance
Region B (Randburg Service Delivery Centre) will conduct Fontainebleau substation maintenance from 8am–4pm – work originally planned for Wednesday.
Areas affected:
Robindale (Extensions 1, 2, 4, 5), Ferndale, Darrenwood, Fontainebleau (and Extension 1), Jacanlee, Randpark Extension 3, Linden Extension, Cresta (and Extension 3), President Ridge, and Moret.
Meanwhile, Hursthill Service Delivery Centre will have another eight-hour shutdown at the Industria substation between 8am and 4pm, affecting Industria and Industria West.
“This upgrade strengthens voltage stability and reduces frequent trips in western Johannesburg,” said a City Power technical supervisor.
Weekend Power Outages: Longlake and Van Beek Substations
On Saturday, 11 October, Region A (Midrand) will again be affected as Longlake substation maintenance runs from 8am to 4pm.
Areas affected: Longlake, Longmeadow, and Linbro Park.
On Sunday, 12 October, Region F (Inner City) will undergo maintenance at the Van Beek substation, also between 8am and 4pm.
Areas affected: Jeppestown, Droste Park, and City and Suburban.
“Van Beek powers key industrial areas,” City Power said. “Scheduled maintenance now prevents long-term losses later.”
Safety First
City Power reminded residents to treat all plugs and switches as live during outages, since power may return earlier than expected.
“Electricity supply can be restored at any time,” warned a City Power spokesperson. “Residents should switch off appliances and handle electrical points as if live at all times.”
Safety checklist:
- Unplug devices to avoid surges when power returns.
- Use certified solar lamps or gas stoves instead of candles.
- Avoid open flames indoors.
- Keep perishables cool in iceboxes.
Joburg’s Infrastructure Crossroads
The maintenance blitz highlights Johannesburg’s broader challenge – modernising an electricity grid that hasn’t kept pace with urban growth.
City Power oversees more than 13,000 km of underground cables, much of it installed before the 1990s. Deferred maintenance, caused by funding gaps and procurement delays, has made parts of the grid fragile.
“Every fix done today prevents an outage tomorrow,” said infrastructure analyst Kgomotso Diale. “It’s expensive and inconvenient, but if Joburg wants stability, rebuilding is the only way forward.”
Building a Resilient Power Future
These eight-hour interruptions serve as a reminder that maintenance means progress, not just inconvenience.
City Power says it is shifting from reactive repair to proactive maintenance, a strategy that requires residents’ cooperation.
How residents can help:
- Report cable theft and illegal connections immediately.
- Reduce energy use during peak hours.
- Invest in solar or inverter systems where possible.
“Stable power begins with shared responsibility,” said City Power. “Every resident plays a role in protecting the network.”
As Johannesburg grows, so does its need for a stronger, smarter grid. The outages this week might test patience, but they also mark an investment in a city preparing for a more sustainable energy future.
So this week, Joburg: plan ahead, stay informed, and use the downtime wisely. Each repair, each upgrade, and each precaution moves the city one step closer to reliable power – and a brighter tomorrow.
