JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — In a major push to modernize the Johannesburg electricity network, City Power has initiated a series of planned power interruptions designed to service and upgrade ageing infrastructure. Charles Tlouane, Acting CEO of City Power, stated that this proactive maintenance is essential for mitigating the risk of unexpected blackouts while simultaneously transforming the utility’s relationship with the public.
Rather than relying on a reactive model, the utility is fundamentally shifting how it handles consumer relations. Tlouane emphasized that City Power is taking the initiative to meet residents and business owners where they are, rather than waiting for complaints to arrive at corporate offices.
“We are planning to strengthen our network much further,” Tlouane explained. “We are planning to have more engagements with our customers in a sense that we understand more of their frustrations. We go to them. We don’t want them to come to us only.”
To operationalize this community-first approach, City Power has rolled out a “word-by-word” program. This initiative involves utility representatives visiting neighborhoods and commercial hubs to directly listen to consumer frustrations. Tlouane noted that the needs of local businesses vary; while some require increased grid capacity, others are primarily seeking consistent power stability. In response, City Power is equipping its teams to present these stakeholders with clear, actionable plans outlining exactly how and when their specific issues will be resolved.
This outward-facing strategy is being supported by robust internal alignment. Tlouane confirmed that the utility is actively roping in all relevant internal divisions to support the infrastructure drive. This includes coordinated efforts between the public lighting department and day-to-day maintenance teams to ensure a comprehensive and unified response to grid vulnerabilities.
Beyond immediate physical repairs, a cornerstone of City Power’s long-term strategy is to fast-track operational and integration issues surrounding Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Tlouane highlighted that accelerating this transition is not just an operational goal, but a financial necessity. By diversifying the city’s energy sources, the utility aims to drastically reduce its bulk electricity purchases from Eskom, which Tlouane identified as currently standing as one of the organization’s most significant financial expenditures.
While the planned maintenance may cause temporary, localized disruptions, City Power maintains that these measured interventions are a vital investment in securing a stable, cost-effective, and resilient power future for Johannesburg.
