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Power Outage in Observatory, Johannesburg

City Power confirmed
Power outage in Observatory on Monday, 6 July 2026 at 16:41
2 updates so far, latest 13h 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
🔧 Investigating15h ago- Innercity
Planned maintenance at Sebenza Substation is affecting power supply, though Observatory Substation's 11kV Feeder Board 1 has been restored while the Kensington Standby Distributor remains affected in various areas.
Bezuidenhout ValleyKensingtonBellevueDoornfonteinBrumaSebenzaCyrildeneDe WetshofObservatory
Outage details
Cause: Planned maintenancesource
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 16:41
    Planned maintenance at Sebenza Substation is ongoing, affecting Bezuidenhout Valley, Kensington, Bellevue, Kensington Extension, Bezuidenhout Valley East, Kensington Extension 3, Doornfontein, Observatory North, Cyrildene Central, Langermann Drive, Dewetshof, and Bruma; an immediate trip occurred after restoration attempts, and there is no estimated time for full restoration.
    source
  2. Planned - Mon, 06 Jul, 18:55
    Planned maintenance at Sebenza Substation is affecting power supply, though Observatory Substation's 11kV Feeder Board 1 has been restored while the Kensington Standby Distributor remains affected in various areas.
    source
Recently Restored
✅ Restoredreported 6d ago• 53h 54m- Inner City
The power supply has been fully restored for customers in Bellevue, Bruma, Observatory, and Cyrildene following multiple cable faults.
ObservatoryBellevueBrumaCyrildene
Cause: Faulty cableETA: Wed, 01 Jul, 17:00source
Timeline (10 updates)
  1. Reported - Wed, 01 Jul, 06:35
    The team has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the outage affecting customers in Bellevue and part of Observatory.
    source
  2. Update - Wed, 01 Jul, 14:57
    The test branch team has been requested to locate faults for an outage affecting customers in Bellevue and part of Observatory, reported this morning.
    source
  3. Update - Wed, 01 Jul, 15:36
    The power supply at Bellevue Substation has been restored up to 67% for customers in Bellevue and parts of Observatory.
    source
  4. Update - Wed, 01 Jul, 18:56
    67% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Bellevue and parts of Observatory; repairs will commence tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances.
    source
  5. Reported - Wed, 01 Jul, 19:41
    An unplanned power interruption is affecting customers in Bruma, with the team scheduled to attend to it tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances.
    source
  6. Update - Wed, 01 Jul, 20:07
    67% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Bellevue, Observatory, and Bruma, with repairs to recommence tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances.
    source
  7. Update - Thu, 02 Jul, 08:42
    The test branch team is on-site at Bellevue Substation locating faults, with 67% power supply restored to customers in Bellevue, Bruma, Observatory, and Cyrildene.
    source
  8. Update - Thu, 02 Jul, 13:40
    Faults have been located and repairs are underway at Bellevue Substation due to multiple cable faults, with 67% of power restored to customers in Bellevue, Bruma, Observatory, and Cyrildene, and full restoration estimated by 20:00 this evening.
    source
  9. Update - Thu, 02 Jul, 17:22
    67% of the power supply has been restored to customers in Bellevue and parts of Observatory via the Judith & Gerhard Distributor, and repairs are underway.
    source
  10. Restored - Fri, 03 Jul, 12:29
    The power supply has been fully restored for customers in Bellevue, Bruma, Observatory, and Cyrildene following multiple cable faults.
    source
✅ Restoredreported 6d ago• 9h 11m- Innercity
The power supply has been fully restored for customers in Cyrildene, Observatory, and Bruma following an outage caused by a faulty cable.
CyrildeneBrumaObservatoryBellevue
Cause: Faulty cablesource
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Reported - Wed, 01 Jul, 06:24
    Operators will investigate an outage affecting customers in Cyrildene, Observatory, and Bruma once work in Bellevue is complete.
    source
  2. Restored - Wed, 01 Jul, 15:34
    The power supply has been fully restored for customers in Cyrildene, Observatory, and Bruma 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 Today3 active

Updated 10m ago
🔧 Investigating22h ago- Innercity
Partial restoration has been achieved at Van Beek Substation's Bree Street Distributor, with repairs to be carried out tomorrow morning.
CBD Inner CityCity And SuburbanDoornfonteinFerreirasdorp
Timeline (2 updates)
  1. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 10:16
    Power supply has been partially restored at Van Beek Substation, but Bree street will remain off until repairs are completed.
    source
  2. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 18:45
    Partial restoration has been achieved at Van Beek Substation's Bree Street Distributor, with repairs to be carried out tomorrow morning.
    source
🔧 Investigating22h ago- Innercity
Power has been restored up to 93% at Braamfontein Substation's Jorissen Street Distributor, with teams sourcing necessary materials for further repairs.
Thuso HouseBraamfontein
Timeline (3 updates)
  1. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 10:17
    The team is still on site investigating the cause of the outage at Braamfontein Substation, affecting several streets in Braamfontein.
    source
  2. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 13:30
    93% of the power supply has been restored at Braamfontein Substation; however, one load centre will remain off until repairs are completed.
    source
  3. Update - Mon, 06 Jul, 18:41
    Power has been restored up to 93% at Braamfontein Substation's Jorissen Street Distributor, with teams sourcing necessary materials for further repairs.
    source
🔧 Investigating13h ago- Innercity
Repairs have been completed at Fort Substation's Civic Centre Distributor, affecting Civic Centre, and the restoration process is scheduled to commence tomorrow morning.
Civic Centre
Upcoming Planned Power Outages
📅 Planned11h ago- Innercity
Further investigations for planned maintenance at Sebenza Substation will be carried out tomorrow morning due to visibility issues.
Sebenza
Outage details
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.

Tired of finding out the hard way? Get notified when there's a power outage in Observatory.

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, totalling 110 hours without power. Average restoration time was 18.3 hours. Most faults traced back to the Observatory Substation substation (6 of 10). The most common cause was cable fault.

DateDurationSubstationCauseAlso affected
04 Jul 2026-Sebenza Substationplanned maintenanceKensington Standby, 1089 Bellevue Sub, Kensington Extension Standby, Bezuidenhout Valley East +7 more
24 Jun 202618.8hObservatory Substationfaulty transformer and cableDroste Park
21 Jun 20262.9dObservatory Substationcable theftCyrildene, De Wetshof
19 Jun 202616hBellevue Substationcable faultBellevue
18 Jun 2026-Sebenza Substationplanned maintenanceKensington Standby, Kensington Extension Standby, Bezuidenhout Valley East, Kensington Extension 3 +6 more
01 Jun 2026-Sebenza Substationplanned maintenanceBezuidenhout Valley, Doornfontein Standby, Cyrildene South, Cyrildene Central +7 more
20 May 20260mObservatory Substationcable fault-
16 May 2026-Observatory Substationcable fault-
11 May 20266.6hObservatory Substationburnt MSSCyrildene
08 May 20260mObservatory Substationcable fault-

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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