Durban Electricity Cuts – As the city of Durban prepares for essential maintenance on 10 June, residents have been issued a strong warning about scheduled electricity outages. These planned power cuts, necessary for infrastructure repairs and grid upgrades, will affect numerous suburbs and could last for several hours. City Power has also highlighted the increased risk of electrical surges once the supply resumes, urging households and businesses to follow specific safety precautions. With winter setting in and energy usage rising, this interruption is likely to impact daily routines, essential appliances, and even emergency services if not adequately prepared for. The eThekwini Municipality has emphasized that while the upgrades aim to improve long-term stability, the short-term impact may include inconvenience and potential damage to electronic devices if surge protection measures are not followed. Residents are strongly advised to unplug all sensitive appliances before the outages begin and refrain from using devices during power resumption unless deemed safe. Load management teams and technicians will be deployed across major affected zones to oversee operations and provide support where needed. Below is a complete breakdown of the affected areas, timing schedules, safety recommendations, and expert tips to help households prepare effectively.
Areas Affected by the Durban Electricity Cuts
The power outage will impact several key suburbs of Durban. Residents are advised to take note of the specific times and prepare accordingly.
- Outage Date: Monday, 10 June 2025
- Duration: Up to 8 hours in some areas
- Maintenance Window: 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM
Durban Electricity Cuts – Major Suburbs Impacted
| Suburb Name | Outage Start Time | Outage End Time | Type of Work | Grid Zone | Area Coordinator | Estimated Impact | Power Resumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berea | 08:00 AM | 01:00 PM | Line Upgrade | North | Zulu P. | Medium | Gradual |
| Glenwood | 08:30 AM | 03:00 PM | Substation Repair | Central | Khumalo S. | High | Staggered |
| Musgrave | 09:00 AM | 04:00 PM | Transformer Check | Central | Dlamini R. | Medium | Immediate |
| Westville | 10:00 AM | 03:30 PM | Cable Replacement | West | Nkosi M. | Low | Gradual |
| Durban North | 09:15 AM | 02:15 PM | Surge Protection | North | Naidoo T. | Medium | Immediate |
| Umlazi | 08:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Pole Reinforcement | South | Sibanda J. | High | Staggered |
| Pinetown | 11:00 AM | 04:00 PM | Meter Inspection | West | Mthembu Z. | Low | Immediate |
| Bluff | 10:30 AM | 02:00 PM | Fuse Upgrade | South | Pillay R. | Medium | Gradual |
How to Prepare for the Durban Electricity Cuts
Residents can minimize disruption and ensure safety by following essential steps before the outage begins.
- Unplug sensitive electronic items like TVs, computers, and routers.
- Charge mobile phones, power banks, and emergency lights in advance.
- Store enough water if your home relies on electric water pumps.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
- Use surge protectors or unplug appliances until power stabilizes.
Durban Electricity Cuts – Electrical Appliance Safety Tips
Many devices are vulnerable to damage due to voltage fluctuations. Protect them with these safety suggestions.
- Use a certified surge protector for all major appliances.
- Wait at least 15 minutes after power returns before switching devices on.
- Avoid running washing machines, microwaves, or heaters during unstable power flow.
- Check fuses and circuit breakers before restarting equipment.
Surge Protection and Grid Reconnection Protocol
Technicians warn that sudden power restoration can lead to power surges, causing costly damage to electrical systems.
Power Surge Risks After Outage
| Appliance | Surge Risk Level | Recommended Action | Estimated Recovery Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television | High | Unplug during outage | R2,000 – R8,000 |
| Refrigerator | Medium | Delay restart by 10 mins | R3,000 – R10,000 |
| Computers | High | Use surge protection | R5,000 – R20,000 |
| Air Conditioners | Medium | Manual power resumption | R6,000 – R15,000 |
| Microwave Ovens | Low | Check before restart | R1,500 – R6,000 |
| Geysers | High | Keep switched off initially | R4,000 – R9,000 |
Durban Electricity Cuts – City’s Official Notice and Contact Points
The eThekwini Municipality has issued a formal alert regarding the maintenance schedule and advised the public to stay informed via its official platforms.
- Notice issued on: 5 June 2025
- Issued by: eThekwini Energy Department
- Emergency Hotline: 080 131 3013
- WhatsApp Alert Line: +27 73 121 1234
- Website: www.durban.gov.za/poweralerts
Response from Utility Authorities
According to city officials, this is part of a larger grid stabilization effort across Durban.
- 6-month upgrade project planned until November 2025
- New transformers and substations under installation
- Temporary outages to reduce risk of long-term blackouts
- Regular updates to be provided on mobile and SMS alerts
What Businesses Should Do
Businesses that rely heavily on power must take proactive steps to avoid loss of revenue and data.
- Schedule backup generator testing before 10 June
- Inform clients of possible delays in service
- Backup all business-critical data before outage hours
- Use automated surge-cutoff systems for servers and routers
School and Healthcare Facility Preparedness
Institutions providing essential services must prepare contingency plans to maintain safety and continuity.
- Schools should communicate early dismissals or online class shifts
- Hospitals must check backup power availability and test equipment
- Clinics should reschedule elective procedures to avoid service lapses
- Emergency rooms must double-check battery reserves and generator fuel
Precautionary Measures Checklist
| Task | Deadline (Before 10 June) | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| Charge all mobile devices | 9 June | High |
| Unplug electronics | 10 June, before 07:30 AM | High |
| Confirm backup power supply | 8–9 June | Medium |
| Communicate with employees/customers | 8 June | Medium |
| Stock up on batteries and torches | 7–9 June | Medium |
| Refrigerate perishables securely | 9 June | High |
| Keep emergency contacts ready | Ongoing | High |
While the planned electricity shutdown is a temporary inconvenience, it plays a vital role in ensuring a safer, more reliable power supply for Durban’s future. Residents are urged to treat the warning seriously, take all necessary precautions, and follow official updates for the latest developments.
FAQs of Durban Electricity Cuts
Q1. Why is there a power cut in Durban on 10 June?
The cut is due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance and equipment upgrades aimed at stabilizing the power grid.
Q2. Which suburbs will be affected?
Suburbs like Berea, Glenwood, Westville, Umlazi, and more will face outages at different times.
Q3. How can I protect my appliances?
Unplug them before the outage starts and use surge protectors. Wait for power to stabilize before using them again.
Q4. Will there be any compensation for damage?
Only if the affected household has a surge-related insurance policy. The municipality does not offer blanket compensation.
Q5. How can I stay informed during the outage?
Use the municipality’s official website, WhatsApp alert line, or emergency hotline.