Johannesburg Power Outages – residents should brace for significant disruptions as power outages are set to impact 39 areas due to planned maintenance by City Power. These power cuts will last between seven to eight hours, starting Monday, 17 February.
Why Are These Johannesburg Power Outages Happening?
City Power Johannesburg has confirmed that these planned power outages are necessary to carry out essential maintenance on the electricity network. This maintenance aims to improve service delivery, as outdated infrastructure often leads to unreliable electricity supply.
However, critics argue that Johannesburg power outages are not just a result of routine maintenance but also stem from broader issues, including:
- A lack of skilled personnel
- Mismanagement
- Insufficient financial support from relevant authorities
According to Nico de Jager, DA shadow MMC for infrastructure, City Power’s budget allocation does not prioritize maintenance, which should account for 8% of annual spending but currently stands at only 2%. This financial shortfall has exacerbated infrastructure problems, leading to more frequent power outages.
Impact on Businesses and Residents
The power cuts in Johannesburg will significantly impact businesses, as over 60% of City Power’s customers are commercial entities. Frequent outages mean lost revenue for businesses and financial strain on City Power, which depends on electricity sales for revenue generation.
Wayne Duvenage, CEO of Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, attributes the worsening crisis to poor governance, stating that leaders are failing to address core infrastructure issues. The need for widespread maintenance is a clear indication of Johannesburg’s critical electricity situation.
Johannesburg Power Outages: Affected Areas and Schedule
Here’s a breakdown of which areas will be affected and when:
Monday, 17 February (9 AM – 5 PM)
- International Business Gateway (IBG)
- Midridge Park Ext. 13
- Halfway Gardens Ext. 103
- Erand Gardens Ext. 49
Wednesday, 19 February (8 AM – 4 PM)
- Victory Park
- Linden
- Pierneef Park
- Some parts of Blairgowrie
Thursday, 20 February (8 AM – 4 PM)
- Lea Glen
- Fleurhof
- Rand Water
Thursday, 20 February (9 AM – 5 PM)
- Indianapolis
- Kyalami Boulevard
- Monza Close
- Silverton Crescent
- Monte Carlo Crescent
- Bonnita
Friday, 21 February (8 AM – 4 PM)
- Stormille
- Highgate Mall
- Putcotin
Saturday, 22 February (8 AM – 3 PM)
- Wynberg 1 and 2
- Wynberg East and West
- Wynberg/Kew
- Kew South and West
- Kew/Bramley View
- Glenhazel
- Glenhazel South
- Rambrandt Park
- Lombardy East
- Bramley Gardens/Kew
- Linksfield North Ext. 7
- Bramley Park/Athol
- Silvamonte
- Lyndhurst East
- Crystal Gardens
- Sunningdale/Rambrandt
Load Shedding Returns After Almost a Year
The return of Johannesburg power outages coincides with the reintroduction of load shedding across South Africa. After almost a year of uninterrupted electricity, rolling blackouts returned on the weekend of 31 January.
Energy analysts Prof. Sampson Mamphweli and Tshepo Mahlaba highlight that Eskom’s aging coal fleet is a key factor behind these power disruptions. Eskom stated that the latest blackouts were due to temporary breakdowns at two power stations, forcing precautionary measures.
Despite the success of the Generation Recovery Plan (GRP), which led to efficiency gains of R16.30 billion in diesel cost savings, the unpredictable nature of Eskom’s coal fleet means South Africans may face further disruptions.
How to Prepare for Power Outages
To minimize the impact of power outages, residents should take the following precautions:
- Keep cell phones fully charged.
- Ensure vehicles have fuel, as petrol stations may not operate during outages.
- Release automatic electric garage doors for manual access.
- Switch electric security gates to manual mode.
- Store boiled water in thermos flasks.
- Prepare meals in advance.
- Keep essential non-perishable food items.
- Invest in a small LP gas heater for cooking and hot drinks.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to preserve food quality.
- Store medications in a cool place, as most can survive without refrigeration for a few hours.
The upcoming Johannesburg power outages will significantly impact residents and businesses across the city. While maintenance is necessary for improving the electricity supply, concerns remain over long-term infrastructure issues, governance, and budget constraints. As Johannesburg prepares for these scheduled outages, staying informed and prepared will help mitigate their impact.
Also Read: Nersa Approves 12.7% Eskom Tariff Hike for 2025—Far Below Requested 36.15% Increase
