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Power Outage in Observatory, Johannesburg

City Power confirmed
Power outage in Observatory on Monday, 5 October 2026 at 17:25
2 updates so far, latest 11h ago
Last checked: 10m ago
Resident reports · community signal
Power off in Observatory? Tell neighbours so others know.

Power Outages Affecting Observatory1 active

Updated 10m ago
⚡ Active15h ago- Innercity
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the team will investigate the cause of an outage affecting customers in Sovereign Parks, Reddam, Bedford Gate, and Smith Street in Kensington in the morning.
KensingtonObservatory
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Reported - Mon, 05 Oct, 17:25
    An outage affecting customers in Sovereign Parks, Reddam, Bedford Gate, and Smith Street in Kensington has been reported, and operators will be dispatched to investigate.
    source
  2. Reported - Mon, 05 Oct, 20:52
    Due to unforeseen circumstances, the team will investigate the cause of an outage affecting customers in Sovereign Parks, Reddam, Bedford Gate, and Smith Street in Kensington in the morning.
    source
Recently Restored
✅ Restoredreported 17h ago• 0m- Innercity
Power supply has been fully restored to customers in Bez-Valley and Kensington after an outage caused by multiple cable faults.
KensingtonObservatory
Cause: Faulty cableETA: Sat, 03 Oct, 17:00source
✅ Restoredreported 6d ago• 48h 55m- Innercity
Power supply has been fully restored to customers in Kensington and Bezuidenhout Valley, following an outage caused by a faulty cable.
KensingtonBezuidenhout ValleyObservatorySomerset
Cause: Faulty cableETA: Tue, 29 Sept, 17:00source
Timeline (4 updates)
  1. Reported - Tue, 29 Sept, 13:34
    An outage is affecting customers in Kensington and Bezuidenhout Valley, and operators will be dispatched to investigate the cause.
    source
  2. Update - Wed, 30 Sept, 15:15
    Repairs are in progress at Observatory Substation, and 95% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Kensington and Bezuidenhout Valley.
    source
  3. Restored - Thu, 01 Oct, 14:26
    Power supply has been fully restored to customers on Somerset Road in Kensington, following an outage caused by a faulty cable.
    source
  4. Restored - Thu, 01 Oct, 14:29
    Power supply has been fully restored to customers in Kensington and Bezuidenhout Valley, following an outage caused by a faulty cable.
    source
Source: @CityPowerJhbAuto-updated every 10 minutes

Other outages in this area

Reports from nearby suburbs in the same City Power service area. Not necessarily affecting Observatory directly.

Johannesburg Power Outages Today6 active

Updated 10m ago
🔧 Investigating11h ago- Innercity
An update for Central Substation has been provided.
BraamfonteinCity And SuburbanGrahamstownJohannesburg CBD
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Reported - Mon, 05 Oct, 21:19
    An unplanned power interruption is affecting customers in Braamfontein; the team has been informed and will investigate the cause in the morning.
    source
  2. Update - Tue, 06 Oct, 06:56
    An update for Central Substation has been provided.
    source
🔧 Investigating1d ago- Innercity
Due to the area being unsafe at night, the team will conduct tests in the morning; if clear, the restoration process will commence following an outage reported on 21 September due to multiple cable faults, affecting customers in Berea and Hillbrow.
HillbrowBereaFort
Cause: Multiple cable faultssource
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Reported - Sun, 04 Oct, 12:02
    An unplanned power interruption at Fort Substation is affecting customers in Hillbrow and Berea, and the team is investigating the cause.
    source
  2. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 20:57
    Due to the area being unsafe at night, the team will conduct tests in the morning; if clear, the restoration process will commence following an outage reported on 21 September due to multiple cable faults, affecting customers in Berea and Hillbrow.
    source
🔧 Investigating3d ago- Innercity
92% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, with repairs for the remaining two load centres commencing in the morning.
Houghton EstateNorwoodOaklandsKillarneyOrchardsCydna
Cause: Multiple cable faultssource
Timeline (10 updates)
  1. Reported - Fri, 02 Oct, 16:25
    An outage at Cydna Substation is affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, and operators will be dispatched to investigate.
    source
  2. Reported - Fri, 02 Oct, 19:58
    An outage at Cydna Substation is affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, and will be attended to by the morning shift team.
    source
  3. Reported - Sat, 03 Oct, 09:56
    The team will investigate the cause of the outage affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards.
    source
  4. Reported - Sat, 03 Oct, 11:50
    The team is investigating the cause of an outage at Cydna Substation affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, which was reported yesterday.
    source
  5. Update - Sat, 03 Oct, 13:15
    An outage at Cydna Substation tripped again, affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, and the team is still conducting tests.
    source
  6. Update - Sat, 03 Oct, 15:21
    Power supply is partially restored to customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, with a test branch team requested tomorrow to locate the fault for the remaining Load Centers.
    source
  7. Update - Sat, 03 Oct, 15:22
    Power supply is partially restored to customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, with a test branch team requested tomorrow to locate the fault for the remaining Load Centers.
    source
  8. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 12:50
    The test branch team is enroute to locate the multiple cable faults causing an outage affecting customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards.
    source
  9. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 17:20
    The power supply has been restored up to 92% for customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, with the remaining two load centres off until repairs are done.
    source
  10. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 20:54
    92% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Houghton Estate, Norwood, Oaklands, Killarney, and Orchards, with repairs for the remaining two load centres commencing in the morning.
    source
🔧 Investigating20h ago- Innercity
A fault has been located at Kazerne Substation, with repairs commencing tomorrow following an outage today due to vandalism to electrical infrastructure. Power supply has been restored up to 5% for customers at Maboneng precinct, Durban Street East, and Durban Street West.
Maboneng PrecinctKazerne
Cause: Vandalismsource
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 11:33
    5% of the power supply has been restored to customers at Maboneng precinct, Durban Street East, and Durban Street West, following an outage due to vandalism to the electrical infrastructure.
    source
  2. Update - Mon, 05 Oct, 20:48
    A fault has been located at Kazerne Substation, with repairs commencing tomorrow following an outage today due to vandalism to electrical infrastructure. Power supply has been restored up to 5% for customers at Maboneng precinct, Durban Street East, and Durban Street West.
    source
🔧 Investigating1d ago- Innercity
An electrical flash at Central Substation has interrupted restoration efforts.
BraamfonteinCity And SuburbanGrahamstownJohannesburg CBD
Cause: Electrical flashsource
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Update - Sun, 04 Oct, 10:24
    City Power is advancing Central Substation restoration as teams address Karzene supply challenges.
    source
  2. Update - Sun, 04 Oct, 17:39
    An electrical flash at Central Substation has interrupted restoration efforts.
    source
Source: @CityPowerJhbAuto-updated every 10 minutes

Report a Power Outage in Observatory

Is your power off in Observatory? Report it to City Power so they can dispatch a team.

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When Will Electricity Come Back in Observatory?

How long a power outage in Observatory takes to fix depends on what caused it. These are the typical restoration times for the three fault categories City Power handles.

Unplanned fault
Most outages in Observatory fixed within 4-8 hours. Minor faults (tripped circuit) take 2-4 hours.
Cable theft
12-48 hours to repair, especially if specialised equipment is needed.
Planned work
City Power notifies Observatory residents in advance. Usually 6-10 hours during the day.

Power Outage History for Observatory (Last 90 Days)

City Power reported 10 outages affecting Observatory in the last 90 days. Most faults traced back to the Bellevue Substation substation (5 of 10). The most common cause was cable fault.

DateTime to restorationSubstationCauseAlso affected
22 Sept 2026-Sebenza Substationplanned maintenanceFar East Bank, Alexandra Extensions 1, Alexandra Extensions 3, Alexandra Extensions 4 +91 more
19 Sept 20263.8hObservatory Substationcable faultCyrildene
14 Sept 2026-Bellevue SubstationtripBellevue, Yeoville, Houghton, Linksfield Ridge
05 Sept 20266.6hObservatory Substationcable faultCyrildene, Dewetshof, Orange Grove, De Wetshof
30 Aug 20261.8dBellevue Substationcable faultBellevue, Yeoville, Houghton Estate
26 Aug 2026-Bellevue Substation-Bellevue
26 Aug 2026---Bellevue, Yeoville
14 Aug 20261.1dObservatory Substationequipment faultLorentzville, Bertrams
03 Aug 20262.4dBellevue Substationcable faultCyrildene, Houghton Estate, Bellevue, Houghton
22 Jul 20261.3dBellevue Substationcable faultBellevue East

Time to restoration is measured from when the outage was first reported, not from when it began.

See the full Johannesburg power outage history →

What to Do During a Power Outage in Observatory

Quick checklist to follow while waiting for City Power to restore power in Observatory.

  • Switch off appliances at the wall to prevent damage from power surges when electricity returns.
  • Leave one light switched on so you know when power is restored.
  • Keep fridges and freezers closed - food stays cold for 4-6 hours if unopened.
  • Use battery-powered lights instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
  • Report the outage to City Power on 0114907484 / 0860562874 if it has not been reported yet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Power Outages in Observatory

Is there a power outage in Observatory right now?

Yes, there is currently a power outage reported in Observatory, Johannesburg. City Power is aware and working on restoration. Check the live updates above for the latest status and estimated restoration time.

How do I report a power outage in Observatory?

Call City Power on 0114907484 / 0860562874 to report a power outage in Observatory. You can also report online at citypower.co.za or follow @CityPowerJhb on X (Twitter) for updates.

How long do power outages last in Observatory?

Most unplanned power outages in Observatory are fixed within 4-8 hours. Minor faults like tripped circuits are often restored in 2-4 hours. Major faults from cable theft or equipment damage can take 12-48 hours. Planned maintenance typically lasts 6-10 hours during the day.

When will the electricity be back on in Observatory?

For the active outage affecting electricity in Observatory, see the live update at the top of this page for City Power's latest restoration estimate. Most unplanned electricity outages in Observatory restore within 4-8 hours. Call 0114907484 / 0860562874 to confirm the ETA for your specific street.

Is it load shedding or a power outage in Observatory?

If your power is off outside the load shedding schedule, Observatory is experiencing an unplanned power outage - not load shedding. Load shedding follows a fixed timetable, while power outages are caused by faults, cable theft, or equipment failure. Check Observatory load shedding schedule

What number do I call for City Power in Observatory?

Call City Power on 0114907484 / 0860562874 for power outages in Observatory. You can also report faults online at citypower.co.za or WhatsApp the relevant SDC channel for your area.

OurPower is an independent live tracker. We are not affiliated with City Power or the City of Johannesburg. This page reads public information that City Power publishes and translates it into plain language. For official updates, contact City Power on 0114907484 / 0860562874 or citypower.co.za.

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