Update on Weather-Related Power Outage and Restoration Efforts
Issued by George Municipality, 12 May 2026 @ 13:40
George Municipality acknowledges the frustration and inconvenience experienced by residents and businesses affected by the ongoing weather-related power outages across various parts of George.
The Municipality would like to assure the public that all available electrical teams are actively attending to faults and working continuously to restore the electricity supply as safely and as quickly as possible.
The Municipal Electrotechnical Services Department has identified all problematic high-voltage and medium-voltage circuits, and teams are currently attending to these faults. As the high- and medium-voltage faults are repaired, the associated low-voltage circuits are also being restored.
All available teams are deployed on-site and are actively reinstating affected circuits. The damage to the electricity network is widespread, and it is currently not possible to provide accurate estimated times of restoration (ETRs).
It is important to note that, unlike isolated or sporadic outages experienced under normal circumstances, the current outages have been caused by multiple faults occurring simultaneously across the network due to severe weather conditions.
The strong gusting winds have resulted in a range of infrastructure-related faults, including:
• Vegetation and trees falling onto power lines
• Broken poles and overhead lines
• Loose and damaged poles
• Lines lying on the ground
• Single-phase faults
• Faults linked to the damaged Glenwood substation
In several affected areas, damaged poles must be replaced before power can be restored. In many instances, dense vegetation must first be cleared to allow teams safe access to damaged infrastructure to carry out necessary repairs and replacements.
Unfortunately, criminal elements are also taking advantage of the situation to steal electricity infrastructure, which is further complicating restoration efforts.
To accelerate restoration efforts, the Electrotechnical Services Department has appointed two additional contractors to assist municipal teams with fault repairs and the reinstatement of electricity supply.
Residents are encouraged to report any additional electricity-related challenges or faults not already listed or reported to the Municipality.
The Municipality appeals to residents to remain patient and to continue reporting power outages and hazardous electrical infrastructure, such as live cables, via the following channels:
• WhatsApp: 067 553 1728
• Office Switchboard: 044 801 9222 / 044 803 9222 (07:45 – 16:30)
• Customer Care: 044 801 9202 / 9258
