Scheduled 12-hour power outage in certain areas of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department has announced scheduled maintenance for sections of Observatory, Salt River, and Woodstock.The work is scheduled for Friday, 4 October, or Friday, 11 October, depending on weather conditions. The maintenance will begin at 20:00 and is expected to conclude by 8:00 the following morning.

Potential power outage delays due to complex work

The city has cautioned residents that the power outage duration is only an estimation. Due to the work’s intricate nature, the electricity restoration may take longer than initially planned. The City of Cape Town’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department, “Our teams will work as quickly as possible to complete the work within the communicated time, but unforeseen delays can happen due to the complexity of the infrastructure.”

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by checking the City’s official communication channels, including social media, for updates. Should electricity not be restored within the expected timeframe, residents can contact the City’s Call Centre before logging any service requests related to the upgrade.

Safety precautions for residents

During the outage, the City urges residents to switch off all electrical appliances to prevent potential damage when power is restored.

“The electricity supply could be restored at any time,” the statement warned, “and customers must treat all electrical installations as live for the full duration of the interruption.”

This precaution helps minimise the risk of damage from power surges, a common issue during restoration.

Weather-dependent schedule

If poor weather conditions prevent work on 4 October, the maintenance will be pushed to 11 October 2024. In both cases, the times remain from 20:00 to 8:00. The city apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates residents’ patience as they work to improve the area’s electrical infrastructure.