Free State power outages today (27 October 2026): affected areas, causes and when power returns

Koppies in the Free State is still without electricity after a damaging storm on Monday evening, 26 October, and Eskom says power is likely to be restored only by Wednesday evening, 28 October 2026 (Eskom, 17:48 on 27 October). Supply to the Serfontein Traction Station is also still affected (Eskom).

Some nearby rural customers already have power back. Eskom says customers on the RV, RK and RM lines and those fed from the Heuningspruit Rural network were restored through back feeding, and it asks them to use electricity sparingly to avoid overloading the network (Eskom).

This is not load shedding. Eskom's load shedding status shows it is currently not load shedding.

Which Free State areas have no power?

Eskom's first notice on 27 October listed these areas as affected, along with surrounding rural customers on the RM, RV and RK lines (Eskom, 10:49 on 27 October):

• Koppies
• Edenville
• Woburn
• Serfontein
• Rustig
• Lacemine

In its latest update, Eskom says Koppies itself and the Serfontein Traction Station are still off, while customers on the RV, RK and RM lines and the Heuningspruit Rural network are back on (Eskom). Eskom has not given a customer count or a street by street list.

What caused the outage?

Eskom says the outage followed a trip on the 88kV breaker on its line between Greenlands Rural and Serfontein Traction, which also affected the Serfontein Traction and Heuningspruit lines (Eskom). In its later update it says the cause was a damaging storm on Monday evening and that the structural damage is extensive (Eskom).

When will power be back in Koppies?

Eskom says that because of the extent of the structural damage, supply is likely to be restored only by tomorrow evening, which is Wednesday, 28 October 2026 (Eskom). It has not given an exact time, so plan for the power to stay off overnight.

How do I report a fault or a fallen power line?

Call or WhatsApp Eskom on 08600 37566 to report a fault, a fallen line or damaged equipment. If your electricity account is with the Ngwathe Local Municipality rather than Eskom, report it to the municipality as well.

How do I stay safe while the power is off?

Eskom asks residents to treat all electrical installations as live and dangerous (Eskom). Stay away from fallen lines and never try to move one. It also helps to switch off appliances so they are not damaged by a surge when the power comes back.