Residents in Johannesburg are urged to prepare for Joburg power outages that will affect several suburbs on Friday, 4 April 2025, and Monday, 7 April 2025. The City of Johannesburg, through its power utility, has announced planned outages due to essential maintenance work on its electricity network. These outages are necessary to maintain and improve the city’s infrastructure, ensuring a more reliable and efficient electricity supply in the future.
In this article, we will provide details of the Joburg power outages, the reasons behind them, the areas affected, and how residents can prepare. Additionally, we will touch on the proposed tariff hikes for 2025, which may affect households in the near future.
Why are the Joburg Power Outages Happening?
The City of Johannesburg, through its electricity utility, regularly conducts essential maintenance work on its electrical network to ensure a reliable and efficient power supply to residents. On Friday, 4 April 2025, and Monday, 7 April 2025, Joburg power outages will take place as part of the ongoing efforts to upgrade and maintain critical infrastructure. These planned outages will help improve service delivery and reduce future disruptions.
The City of Johannesburg has emphasized that although the outages may last for several hours, they are essential for the long-term improvement of the electricity supply. The utility has also stated that the power may be restored at any time, so residents are urged to treat their electricity supply points as live to ensure safety.
When Will the Joburg Power Outages Occur?
Friday, 4 April 2025 (6-Hour Outage)
On Friday, 4 April 2025, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (6 hours), several suburbs serviced by the Orlando Switching Station will experience a Joburg power outage. The affected areas include:
Yeast Pro Number 1 and 2
Watt Street
Parson Street
Bunsen Street South
Breweries Riverlea
Riverlea
Eastern Industria
Bosmont Maraisburg
Industria North
Bunsen Street
Slovo Crosby Number 1 and 2
Lowethal Industrial West
Longdale
George Scott
Springbok Street
Telford Street
Paarlshop
Nobel Street
Slovo Crosby
Maraisburg Road
Vega Street Number 1, 2, and 3
Industria South
These areas will be affected by Joburg power outages from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to prepare for this temporary loss of power and plan accordingly.
Monday, 7 April 2025 (8-Hour Outage)
On Monday, 7 April 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (8 hours), a longer Joburg power outage will take place in several suburbs serviced by the Mondeor Substation. The suburbs affected by this outage include:
Mondeor Ext. 2, 4, 5
Meredale
Meredale Ext. 2, 4, 9, 26
Ridgeway Ext. 2, 4, 8
Naturena
Winchester Hills Ext. 1
Suiderood
Alan Manor
The power outage on Monday, 7 April will last for 8 hours, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Again, it is crucial for residents in these areas to be prepared and ensure that they take the necessary steps to minimize inconvenience during the Joburg power outages.
How to Prepare for the Joburg Power Outages?
While Joburg power outages can be disruptive, there are several ways to prepare in advance to reduce the impact. Here are a few helpful tips for residents to ensure they are ready for the scheduled power cuts:
Unplug Electrical Appliances: During the Joburg power outages, there is always a risk of power surges once the electricity is restored. To protect your appliances and electronics, make sure to unplug sensitive devices such as computers, televisions, and refrigerators before the outage begins.
Consider Backup Power Solutions: If you live in an area where Joburg power outages are frequent, it may be worth investing in backup power solutions such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for essential devices or a generator. This can help keep critical systems running during power interruptions.
Check on Vulnerable Neighbors: If you have elderly neighbors or family members, make sure to check on them during the Joburg power outages, especially if they rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment.
Stock Up on Essentials: If the power will be out for several hours, you may not be able to access nearby shops. Make sure you have enough food, water, and basic supplies to last at least 24 hours in case the outage extends beyond the expected timeframe.
Use Flashlights and Candles: When the power goes out, having candles, flashlights, and spare batteries on hand will ensure that you can still navigate your home safely without electricity.
Secure Your Home: If you have an alarm system or other security measures that rely on electricity, check if they have a battery backup. If not, consider investing in one to maintain security during the Joburg power outages.
Plan for Work and School Disruptions: If you work from home or have children attending school remotely, consider how the outage will affect your daily activities. Notify your employer or school about the planned Joburg power outages to make necessary adjustments.
Impact of Joburg’s Tariff Hikes for 2025
While preparing for the Joburg power outages in April 2025, residents should also be aware of the tariff hikes that have been proposed for the 2025/2026 financial year. On Wednesday, 2 April 2025, the City of Johannesburg announced its municipal tariff increases, which will affect electricity rates, property rates, and refuse removal fees.
According to a report from BusinessTech, the City of Johannesburg has set an R80 billion operating budget and R7 billion capital expenditure budget, totalling R87.6 billion. A significant portion of this budget will go toward improving the city’s critical services, including City Power Johannesburg, which will receive R5.26 billion in funding.
However, the increased tariffs, including a rise in electricity rates, may put additional strain on household budgets, particularly in areas where residents are already struggling to meet basic living costs. Property rates and refuse removal fees are also set to increase by more than 4%.
City of Johannesburg CFO Tebogo Moraka stated that the aim of these tariff increases is to ensure the financial sustainability of the city while maintaining essential services. Nevertheless, the new tariffs will place more pressure on residents, especially those in lower-income areas.
Related: Surviving Load Shedding in South Africa: What Each Stage Means
What to Expect in April 2025
In April 2025, Johannesburg residents should expect temporary but necessary Joburg power outages as part of the City’s efforts to improve the electrical network. While these outages will disrupt daily activities, they are important for maintaining a more reliable power supply in the long run.
Residents are advised to prepare by unplugging appliances, checking on neighbors, and having backup power sources. The proposed tariff hikes for the 2025/2026 financial year will add further financial strain on households, and residents should plan for these increases in their budgets.
The Joburg power outages are an inconvenience, but with the right preparation, they can be managed. As Johannesburg continues to grow and improve its infrastructure, these efforts are crucial for ensuring the city remains a vibrant, well-served community.
