City Power calls for load reduction as cold weather pressures network

City Power is urging Johannesburg residents to cut back on their electricity use as freezing weather continues to strain the city's power system. The utility is currently handling over 2,000 open outage reports across its eight service areas. This comes after the South African Weather Service issued a warning about frigid temperatures, gusty winds, and rainfall across various regions as a powerful cold front sweeps through the nation.

The extreme conditions have also boosted electricity demand, leading City Power to request residents to minimize their power usage. A City Power representative stated, "The damp weather is complicating restoration efforts on the ground. Numerous electricity issues, mainly underground cable failures, demand technicians to diagnose the problem, then dig up and trench the afflicted cable before repairs can commence.

In waterlogged areas, excavation may be hazardous or unfeasible, while open trenches can collect water and put electrical infrastructure at additional risk." South Africa's Water and Sewerage Services (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 6 alert for potential snowfall.