PG&E Begins Planned Overnight Outages in Civic Center and Richmond as Mission Substation Repairs Continue
Two overnight shutoffs are scheduled as crews transition San Francisco back to normal grid operations
Planned power outages are underway in San Francisco as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) continues restoration work tied to the Mission Substation fire that disrupted electricity service across large parts of the city in late December.
The scheduled shutoffs are designed to support a controlled transition from temporary configurations—used to keep customers energized during repairs—back to normal grid operations. PG&E has said the work follows weeks of rerouting power and deploying temporary generation in neighborhoods affected by the Mission Substation damage.
What is scheduled, and where
Civic Center: A planned outage is set to begin just after midnight on Monday, January 19, 2026. The interruption is expected to affect about 3,600 homes and businesses and could last up to 12 hours, with restoration targeted by around midday.
Richmond District: A second planned outage is scheduled to begin just after midnight on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. PG&E has estimated the outage will affect about 14,000 homes and businesses and last roughly two hours.
PG&E has stated it will notify impacted customers through automated outreach such as text messages, voicemail and email.
Why these planned outages are happening now
The planned shutoffs follow a series of disruptions connected to the Mission Substation incident on December 20, 2025, when a fire and related equipment failure led to widespread outages across San Francisco. At the peak, roughly one-third of the city—about 130,000 customers—lost power. In the days after the incident, PG&E relied on temporary routing and backup generation while repair work progressed.
Temporary generators deployed in parts of the city became a focal point for neighborhood disruption, with residents reporting significant noise and associated quality-of-life impacts. In prior transitions, PG&E has used brief planned outages to move customers from generator-supported service back onto standard grid supply.
Planned outages are a common utility practice during major repairs, allowing crews to de-energize lines, switch circuits, and reconfigure equipment in a controlled way before restoring service.
What customers can do during the interruption
Charge essential devices in advance and keep flashlights available.
If you rely on powered medical equipment, confirm backup plans before midnight outages begin.
Limit opening refrigerators and freezers to help keep food cold during the shutdown.
Check on neighbors who may need assistance, including older adults and people with disabilities.
City guidance for outages emphasizes generator safety, including avoiding indoor or enclosed-space use due to carbon monoxide risk.