Johannesburg Faces Power Strain: City Power Urges Residents to Slash Electricity Use
City Power has urged residents and businesses to use power sparingly to avoid widespread outages and damage to critical infrastructure. With no public holidays in May and only one scheduled for June, energy consumption is expected to spike as South Africans return to full working weeks and prepare for colder winter months.
City Power has labelled this period as “critical,” citing the strain on the grid due to increased usage. “The network remains under severe pressure. Any increase in consumption could lead to overloading and, subsequently, further outages,” the utility warned in a statement released on Sunday.
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Power Grid Under Pressure as Work Resumes
April’s multiple public holidays had temporarily eased demand on the grid, but with the holiday lull over, consumption is surging. As more households and businesses return to their regular schedules, City Power anticipates peak loads. These periods will be between 6 am–9 am and 5 pm–9 pm, especially as heaters and geysers become more frequently used in colder weather.
To manage the pressure, the utility has asked the public to take proactive measures:
- Switch off all non-essential appliances
- Avoid using high-consumption equipment like geysers, pool pumps, and heaters during peak hours
- Unplug devices when not in use
“Your cooperation is vital to sustaining the power supply and preventing further disruptions,” said City Power. “Thanks to earlier responsible usage by customers, we’ve managed to keep the network stable through backfeeding and interconnectors. But with demand expected to surge this week, restraint remains essential.”
Braamfontein Power Restoration Underway
City Power is also working to restore a full electricity supply to Braamfontein. This comes after a major outage affected the area last week. Crews are currently installing 11kV cables between Bree and Braamfontein Substations to boost backfeeding capacity. This upgrade will allow full restoration of electricity to affected areas, including Wits University, which is currently operating at only 50% power capacity.
According to City Power, technicians were finalizing the two remaining cable joints on Sunday, with full system restoration expected by 6 pm.
The recent power outage was caused by a fire along the 88kV circuit on the Double Decker route, which tripped and cut off supply to several central Johannesburg locations. Impacted areas included Braamfontein, Parktown West, Newtown Junction, De Korte North, and Smith West.
Cable Theft and Vandalism Threaten Infrastructure
City Power has blamed the fire on suspected cable theft and vandalism, highlighting a growing threat from zama-zamas — illegal miners operating within Johannesburg’s underground tunnels. These heavily armed and often violent groups pose an escalating risk to both infrastructure and the safety of City Power staff.
“Criminal activity in the underground tunnels continues to damage critical power infrastructure,” said the utility. “We’re working closely with law enforcement to prevent further incidents, with increased security now in place.”
Efforts to remove debris from the damaged tunnels are progressing, and once complete, City Power will begin installing new 200-metre-long 88kv cables, pending clearance from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
Looking Ahead: Community Responsibility and Infrastructure Investment
The power utility emphasized that the success of its mitigation strategies depends heavily on community cooperation. City Power is investing in infrastructure improvements and deploying new technologies. This is to better manage demand, citizens are being asked to adjust their consumption habits during this volatile period.
“These small changes — unplugging devices, delaying use of heavy appliances during peak hours — can significantly ease the burden on our grid,” said a spokesperson.
Residents are also encouraged to report illegal connections and suspicious activity near power installations, as theft and sabotage continue to derail recovery efforts.
As winter approaches and energy use rises across Johannesburg, City Power is facing a dual challenge: keeping the lights on while fighting back against sabotage and aging infrastructure. The utility’s latest call to action is not just about individual responsibility but about a collective effort to protect the city’s electricity supply.
Failing to act now could mean more frequent outages, infrastructure failures, and delays in economic productivity. With support from residents, businesses, and security forces, City Power hopes to navigate this critical season without major disruptions.