At a time when many South Africans are grappling with the daily strain of unreliable power, there is finally some good news. City Power has recorded its strongest quarterly performance in more than five years, achieving an impressive 87.5% of its performance targets in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
The achievement comes despite the utility continuing to face crippling challenges such as vandalism, illegal connections, high bulk electricity costs, and financial constraints. The results, however, show that Johannesburg’s power utility is on a steady path of recovery, modernisation, and improved service delivery.
“This performance is the result of collective excellence,” said City Power CEO, Tshifularo Mashava. “Despite the challenges we face, we are proving that with unity, focus and accountability, we can deliver a reliable and modern electricity service to the people of Johannesburg.”
One of the most significant successes during the quarter was expanding electricity access. City Power connected 3,539 dwellings to the grid, surpassing its target of 3,200.
Communities in Ivory Park, Orange Farm and Soweto were among the beneficiaries.
Public safety also received a boost, with 1,139 new streetlights installed across the city. These installations are helping to light up previously darkened neighbourhoods and major roads, making streets safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The utility’s maintenance programme also outperformed expectations, reaching 54.5% against a 38% target. Mini-substations, transformers and ring main units in high-demand areas were refurbished, reducing the frequency of outages.
Importantly, City Power also prioritised engaging with communities. A total of 146 community meetings were held – far above the 100 target – in areas such as Alexandra, Eldorado Park and Lenasia. These sessions have proven critical in tackling issues like illegal connections, load challenges and theft, while building trust between the utility and residents.
City Power’s turnaround strategy has also focused on modernisation and energy diversification. The utility scored a perfect 100% on its Smart Utility Index, thanks to its rollout of smart meters, billing accuracy programmes, and real-time monitoring of high-consumption users.
Additionally, 63.4 MW of embedded generation was added to the municipal grid. Rooftop solar projects by large power users and community microgrids in areas such as Vukani, Vlakfontein and Shalazile are now feeding into Johannesburg’s energy supply.
These investments are laying the foundation for a more resilient and decentralised energy system that reduces dependence on Eskom.
Governance and accountability, which have previously been weak points, showed sharp improvement. City Power resolved 155% of Auditor-General findings and 163% of internal audit issues by tightening controls and improving oversight.
The quarter also demonstrated the utility’s commitment to social impact. Over 802 job opportunities were created under the Expanded Public Works Programme, while 225 small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) benefitted from contracts. Free Basic Electricity was extended to 16,718 indigent households, offering low-income families a vital lifeline amid Johannesburg’s rising cost of living.
City Power’s Service Level Standards climbed from a baseline of 42.8% last year to 71.4% in the latest quarter. Improvements included quicker repair times, better communication during outages, and faster response to customer complaints.
On the security front, the utility worked closely with the South African Police Service to crack down on infrastructure crime. Forty-four arrests and five convictions were secured in connection with cable theft, vandalism, and illegal connections.
Looking at the past five years, the progress is clear. In 2020/21, City Power’s performance averaged only 42.4%. By 2021/22, it had risen to 55.2%, and in 2022/23 it stood at 50%. Last year, in 2023/24, the figure climbed to 73.9%. Now, in 2024/25, overall performance has reached 83.3% year-to-date, peaking at 87.5% in the fourth quarter.
This consistent upward trajectory has coincided with Mashava’s leadership, which has placed accountability, innovation and community partnerships at the centre of the utility’s work.
While City Power’s progress is cause for optimism, challenges remain. Electricity theft and vandalism continue to drain resources, while rising bulk purchase costs from Eskom and debt servicing create financial strain.
However, interventions are already underway, says the utility. The rollout of prepaid meters and stand-by-stand audits is being intensified to curb electricity losses. Solar-powered streetlights and renewable energy investments are being accelerated. Billing functions have been migrated to City Power to ensure more accurate and responsive services, while a settlement plan with Eskom is being finalised to manage bulk supply costs.
Mashava says these milestones are a testament to the dedication of City Power’s staff and the resilience of communities working with the utility. “Every milestone we have reached – from expanding access to electricity and installing public lights, to resolving audit findings and creating jobs – is a product of the commitment of the entire City Power team. We are on a positive path of recovery, modernisation, and stronger service delivery.”
For Johannesburg residents, weary of darkness caused by vandalised cables, illegal connections, and outages, these results signal more than statistics. They represent hope – hope that the city’s power supply is becoming stronger, smarter, and more reliable.
