Planned 132kV Maintenance to Trigger Major Sunday Power Outage in Potchefstroom
- Karen Scheepers
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
The JB Marks Local Municipality has issued a formal notice to the public and business community regarding a widespread electricity supply interruption scheduled for Sunday, 12 April 2026. This planned shutdown is required to facilitate essential maintenance on the 132kV distribution power line, a critical artery of the local energy grid. Technical teams are expected to begin work in the early morning, with the outage projected to last from 08h00 until late evening.
Extensive Impact Across Residential and Commercial Sectors
The scale of the maintenance work means that a significant portion of Potchefstroom will be without power for the duration of the day. The interruption will affect a diverse range of neighborhoods, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.
The following primary areas have been listed as affected:
Major Residential Estates & Suburbs: Tuscany Ridge, De Land, Van der Hoff Park, Baillie Park, Grimbeeck Park (certain streets), and the Potchefstroom Dam Area.
Educational Facilities: Potchefstroom Gymnasium, Potchefstroom Technical High School, Ferdinand Postma High School, and the NWU Engineering Campus.
Commercial Zones: Vyfhoek Spar and surrounding businesses, Waterberry, Mooirivier Junction, and Channel Crossing.
Healthcare: Lenmed Hospital and surrounding medical offices.
The municipality has clarified that while the work is localized to the 132kV line, the cascading nature of the grid requires these specific areas to be de-energized to ensure the safety of the technical personnel on-site.
Safety Protocols and Operational Guidance
In its official communication, the JB Marks Local Municipality has emphasized a "Safety First" approach for all affected residents. Because the restoration of power depends on the completion of technical tasks, electricity may be returned earlier or later than the estimated "late evening" timeframe.
Residents are strongly advised to:
Treat all electrical appliances as live at all times throughout the day to prevent damage or injury during sudden re-energization.
Unplug sensitive electronic equipment (computers, televisions, etc.) to protect against potential power surges when the grid is restored.
Ensure that alternative lighting and cooking arrangements are prepared in advance of the 08h00 start time.
The municipality has extended its apologies for the inconvenience, noting that this proactive maintenance is vital to prevent unscheduled breakdowns and to ensure the long-term stability of Potchefstroom’s power infrastructure. As the town prepares for a day of limited activity on Sunday, officials remain committed to completing the upgrades within the stipulated timeframe to minimize further disruption to the local economy.
⚡ 🏗️ 🛠️ 🇿🇦
Comments