Joburg residents urged to power down before the grid does
As Joburg braces for a bite of winter’s chill, City Power is sounding the alarm — not just about the cold, but the real risk of unplanned power outages if electricity demand continues to surge.
With temperatures expected to plunge to 5°C and below, thousands of homes are firing up heaters, electric blankets, and everything in between — and the city’s power grid is feeling the heat.
“We’re seeing massive strain on the system,” says City Power. “When demand spikes, cables and transformers are pushed to the edge. That’s when things break — and when they do, it’s lights out for everyone.”
But there’s good news: we can all help prevent a blackout.
Here’s how to lighten the load:
- Ditch the double-load — don’t run heaters, ovens, and geysers at the same time.
- Stick to the essentials — switch off unnecessary lights and appliances.
- Avoid peak hours — from 6am–9am and 5pm–9pm, the grid is most vulnerable.
- Bundle up — blankets, thermals, and gas heaters can work wonders.
City Power says it’s all hands on deck, with teams monitoring the grid 24/7 and ready to respond — but prevention is the best protection.
To report an outage or fault:
Visit citypower.mobi
Call 011 490 7484 or 0860 562 874
Power smart. Stay warm. And don’t let the cold catch you — or the grid — off guard.
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