City Power schedules maintenance outages after substation damage
City Power Johannesburg has warned residents across the north‑west and parts of the northern suburbs to expect planned power outages of eight hours on Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October. The utility said the work is intended to strengthen the electricity network after recent damage to a key supply point.
The outage windows are from 09:00 to 17:00 on both days. City Power posted the notification on X, saying that
“Planned maintenance is critical in ensuring that ageing infrastructure is serviced, faulty equipment is identified and replaced.”
City Power linked the work to ongoing repairs following a fire at a Central Substation and a subsequent explosion on 14 October that occurred while crews were attempting to restore supply. According to the utility, the incident
“caused further damage to critical electrical equipment, requiring extensive repairs and replacement work.”The transformer involved is currently undergoing functional testing and teams are making arrangements to install connections to the electricity cable, the statement said.
City Power listed the specific areas affected on each day. Residents and businesses in the named suburbs should plan for the loss of power during the eight‑hour windows and make alternative arrangements for refrigeration, medical equipment and any critical services.
- Thursday 22 October (09:00–17:00): Dimension Data, Eileen Road, Main Road, Logan Road, Ebury Road, Post Office, Epsom Downs, Checkers, Elgin Drive, Norman.
- Friday 23 October (09:00–17:00): Windsor East, Windsor West, Cresta Mall, Cresta, Windsor Glen, Aldara Park, Rand Park, Robindale, Robin Hills, Ferndale.
| Date | Outage time | Areas affected (selected) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 October 2026 | 09:00–17:00 | Dimension Data, Logan Road, Epsom Downs, Elgin Drive |
| 23 October 2026 | 09:00–17:00 | Cresta Mall, Windsor East/West, Ferndale, Rand Park |
The outages are part of a wider programme of restorative work after the Central Substation fault. City Power said the transformer is being tested and that crews are arranging to install new cable connections to restore full functionality. No definite restoration time was provided beyond the scheduled maintenance windows.
For residents the timing — during daylight hours — reduces some risks for households and businesses, but the eight‑hour duration will still affect refrigeration, small‑business trading, traffic signals and those relying on electrically powered medical devices. City Power has not issued a separate list of priority customers for whom alternative arrangements might be made; affected residents should contact the utility if they have medical or other critical needs.
Officials stressed that planned maintenance prevents further unplanned outages and helps identify equipment that requires replacement. While the immediate work aims to return the network to a stable state, the incident underlines the broader challenge of maintaining ageing electrical infrastructure across the metro.
Advice for residents before the outages:
- Ensure essential medication and items that require refrigeration are kept cool — move perishables to a cooler with ice if possible.
- Charge mobile phones and power banks in advance and keep torches and battery lamps accessible.
- If you or someone in your household depends on electrical medical equipment, contact City Power urgently to discuss options.
- Businesses that rely on electronic payment systems should have contingency plans for card and EFTPOS outages.
City Power said it will continue to update the public via its official channels on progress and any changes to the schedule. Residents with questions were urged to consult the utility’s posts on X or contact customer services for further information.
