Critical Infrastructure Strain Leads to Rotational Power Cuts in Potch
- Karen Scheepers
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The JB Marks Local Municipality has announced emergency measures to manage the electricity supply across Greater Potchefstroom following significant technical failures at a key substation. Residents and businesses are currently facing a period of instability as technical teams work to stabilize the regional grid.
Substation Failure and Technical Response
On Thursday, 07 May 2026, a widespread electricity outage struck the entire Potchefstroom area after a major trip at the Potch DS Substation. This Eskom-managed facility serves as the primary hub, distributing power to the broader region through various smaller substations. Eskom technicians were dispatched immediately to the site to investigate the recurring nature of these interruptions and to seek a permanent solution to the grid instability.
Implementation of Rotational Load Curtailment
By Friday, 08 May 2026, the situation progressed as officials identified that one of the operational transformers at the Potch DS Substation was experiencing severe overheating. This overheating caused the unit to trip repeatedly. To prevent catastrophic damage to the equipment and avoid long-term infrastructure failure, the JB Marks Local Municipality began implementing rotational load curtailment. This process involves switching off power to specific areas on a rotating basis to reduce the total load on the struggling transformer.
Repair Timeline and Restoration Efforts
There is a clear path toward resolution, as Eskom has confirmed the arrival of necessary spare parts required to repair a second transformer at the site. This second unit is projected to be back online by early next week. Once this transformer is operational, it is expected to stabilize the power supply and allow the municipality to resume normal operations. In the interim, municipal officials noted that if the transformer's temperature drops significantly during the curtailment period, power may be restored to all areas immediately.
The JB Marks Local Municipality and Eskom continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of the electrical infrastructure while working toward a full restoration of services. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official municipal communication channels for further updates as the repairs progress.
This information below is on The WhatsApp groups that also came thorough
Based on recent infrastructure updates and the specific technical layout provided by ward leadership, the current power crisis is localized to a specific segment of the Potchefstroom electrical grid.
Infrastructure Split: 66 kV vs. 132 kV
The Potch DS Substation operates through two primary supply lines, only one of which is currently under strain. This technical distinction determines which neighborhoods face rotational cuts.
The 66 kV Line (Affected): This line is currently experiencing severe instability due to the overheating transformer at the Potch DS Substation. This specific equipment failure is the cause of the 3-hour rotational load curtailment.
The 132 kV Line (Unaffected): This higher-voltage line remains stable. Areas supplied by the 132 kV line have not experienced the recent trips and are not included in the rotational power outage schedule.
Affected Areas (66 kV Supply Zone)
According to Councillor Klopper, the areas scheduled for the 3-hour switch-off cycles are those that experienced power outages on the evening of Thursday, 07 May 2026. While the municipality has not published a neighborhood-by-neighborhood list, historical outages and infrastructure data for the 66 kV network typically include:
Older Residential Sectors: Portions of the CBD and established suburbs often tied to the legacy 66 kV infrastructure.
Specific Supply Zones: Any area that suffered a total loss of power during the substation trip on Thursday is confirmed to be on the 66 kV line and will be subject to the current curtailment.
Areas Not Affected (132 kV Supply Zone)
Neighborhoods that remained powered during the widespread trip on Thursday are served by the 132 kV line. Based on recent municipal maintenance records for this specific line, these "safe" zones likely include:
Modern Residential Developments: Baillie Park, Van der Hoff Park, Vyfhoek, and Waterberry.
Key Institutions: North-West University (NWU) Engineering Campus and healthcare facilities like Lenmed Hospital, which are typically prioritized on the high-capacity 132 kV line.
Operational Summary
The JB Marks Local Municipality is implementing these rotational cuts as a temporary measure while Eskom installs spare parts on the second transformer. Normal operations are expected to resume early next week once the second unit is online.
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