Residents of Tshwane, particularly in the Cullinan area, must brace for a lengthy power outage scheduled for Thursday, 20 February. Eskom has announced a 14-hour electricity cut from 9:00 to 23:00, citing essential maintenance work on its distribution power lines.
This planned outage will affect multiple areas, including:
- Aust Verviers
- Casa Mia Country Estate
- Doxa Deo Edendale Pre-Primary School
- Eland Plots
- Gem Valley
- Kilifi Creek
- Nooitgedacht Plots
- The Hills
Why Is Eskom Cutting Power?
Eskom stated that the power cut is necessary for maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure. The company assured residents that the work is crucial to ensure the stability of the electricity supply in the long run.
As a safety precaution, Eskom urged residents to treat all electrical appliances as live during the outage. This means that even though the power is off, people should still handle electrical appliances with care to avoid damage or safety hazards once power is restored.
The utility acknowledged the inconvenience and expressed gratitude for residents’ cooperation, stating:
“We apologise for any inconvenience this maintenance may cause.”
Substation Explosion Causes Power Outages in Pretoria East
While Tshwane residents prepare for the planned outage, Pretoria East is already experiencing electricity disruptions following a substation explosion on Tuesday night, 18 February.
What Happened?
A voltage transformer explosion at the Njala Infeed Substation severely damaged the 132kV supply line, leaving large parts of Pretoria East without power.
The City of Tshwane confirmed the incident via posts on its X (formerly Twitter) account:
“We are aware of the outage affecting multiple substations and areas in the city. Technicians have been dispatched to investigate.”
Emergency services, along with energy department officials, acted swiftly to put out the fire and assess the extent of the damage.
When Will Power Be Restored?
The City of Tshwane Executive Mayor, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, reassured residents that the situation was under control and that power restoration was a top priority.
She stated:
“Our emergency services teams have extinguished the fire at Njala Substation, leaving large parts of Pretoria East without power. We will provide further information on ERT (Estimated Restoration Time) once assessments are completed.”
How These Power Outages Impact Tshwane Residents
Both the planned Cullinan power outage and the Njala substation explosion highlight the ongoing challenges of electricity supply in Tshwane. Many businesses and households rely on stable power, and these outages disrupt daily activities.
What Residents Should Do to Prepare
Since electricity will be unavailable for an extended period, residents should take the following steps:
1. Charge Devices & Backup Batteries
Ensure that:
- Phones, laptops, and power banks are fully charged.
- Rechargeable lights and flashlights are ready.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units for internet routers and other essential electronics are functioning.
2. Store Enough Water & Food
Many water pumps rely on electricity, so:
- Store enough drinking water and water for basic household use.
- Avoid opening fridges and freezers frequently to keep food cold for longer.
3. Use Alternative Cooking Methods
If you rely on electric stoves, prepare meals in advance or use:
- Gas stoves
- Outdoor braais
- Camping stoves
4. Secure Home & Business Security Systems
Since power cuts affect security systems, ensure:
- Alarm systems and electric fences have backup power.
- Manual locks are in place as electronic gates may not function.
5. Drive Safely
- Traffic lights may be off, leading to congestion.
- Treat all intersections as four-way stops.
Eskom & The City of Tshwane’s Response
Despite these challenges, both Eskom and the City of Tshwane have promised transparency regarding updates. Residents are encouraged to follow official Eskom and Tshwane Municipality platforms for real-time information on restoration progress.
Eskom and the City of Tshwane’s electricity department also urge people to report electrical faults or dangerous situations (such as fallen power lines or exposed cables).
Related: Load Shedding vs. Load Reduction: Understanding the 6 Key Differences
As Tshwane residents brace for disruptions this week, staying informed and prepared is crucial. While Eskom’s planned 14-hour power cut is essential for maintenance, the unexpected substation explosion in Pretoria East adds extra strain on residents and businesses.
However, with proper planning, individuals can mitigate the inconvenience and stay safe during these outages. The City of Tshwane and Eskom have committed to restoring power as quickly as possible and keeping residents updated.
