An explosion at the Bree substation in central Johannesburg on Tuesday evening, 11 November 2025, caused widespread power outages in parts of the inner city.
According to City Power, the incident occurred shortly after 22:00, when a faulty 11kV incomer No. 2 breaker failed, triggering an electrical explosion inside the substation.
The utility confirmed that the substation was immediately isolated to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of technicians working on-site.
“City Power teams responded swiftly and managed to isolate the Bree substation shortly after 22:00 to contain the situation,” the utility said in a brief statement.
No details have yet been released regarding the extent of the damage or possible injuries, but emergency personnel and technical teams were dispatched to assess the scene and begin repair operations.
City Power said it is working to restore supply as soon as it is safe to do so and has urged residents in affected areas to be patient as assessments continue.
The Bree substation, located near Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD, is one of the major electricity supply points serving parts of the central city, Newtown, and surrounding areas.
Several businesses and residential blocks reported sudden power loss around the time of the explosion, with some residents describing a loud bang followed by darkness.
By early Wednesday morning, City Power teams were still on site carrying out technical inspections.
“Repairs will proceed once it is safe to re-enter the affected area,” a spokesperson added, noting that the cause of the fault is under investigation.
The Bree substation has been the site of previous electrical faults and infrastructure stress incidents in recent years, raising concerns over the condition of Johannesburg’s ageing power network.
City Power has not yet indicated when full power restoration is expected, but residents are advised to follow official updates through the utility’s communication channels.