Power outages scheduled in 22 districts of Istanbul on 24 March 2026: when will the electricity be cut and restored?
Boğaziçi Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş. (BEDAŞ) has announced planned power interruptions affecting 22 districts of Istanbul on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. The outages will take place at different times throughout the day as part of ongoing maintenance and repair works on the electricity network.
These scheduled works mean that in many neighborhoods electricity will be cut for certain time intervals and then restored according to a pre-planned program. Residents are therefore asking: “What time will the power be cut in Istanbul, and when will it come back?” The answers depend on the district and even the specific street, but the general framework of the outage plan is already defined.
Which districts of Istanbul will experience power cuts?
According to the program announced by BEDAŞ, power interruptions are planned in 22 districts on the European side of Istanbul on 24 March 2026. The affected districts are:
– Arnavutköy
– Bağcılar
– Bahçelievler
– Bakırköy
– Başakşehir
– Bayrampaşa
– Beylikdüzü
– Beyoğlu
– Büyükçekmece
– Çatalca
– Esenler
– Esenyurt
– Fatih
– Gaziosmanpaşa
– Güngören
– Kağıthane
– Küçükçekmece
– Sarıyer
– Silivri
– Sultangazi
– Zeytinburnu
In these districts, different neighborhoods and streets will be affected at varying time intervals. Not every part of a listed district will necessarily lose electricity, and not all cuts will occur at the same time.
When will the power be cut and when will it come back?
BEDAŞ has scheduled the outages for different time slots throughout Tuesday, 24 March. In some areas the interruption may last only a couple of hours, while in others it may extend longer depending on the scope of the maintenance work.
Typical time windows for planned outages often fall between early morning and late afternoon or evening, to allow technical teams to work safely on transformers, lines, and distribution units. Exact start and end times, however, vary by:
– District
– Neighborhood
– Street or building
– Type of maintenance or repair being carried out
To learn the precise outage window for a particular address, residents are advised to check the official “planned outage” tools provided by the electricity distribution companies.
Why are there planned outages in Istanbul?
The power cuts on 24 March are part of routine and preventive maintenance activities. Electricity distribution companies regularly:
– Replace or upgrade aging infrastructure
– Repair damaged lines and equipment
– Improve capacity to meet rising demand
– Carry out safety checks to reduce the risk of unplanned blackouts
To perform these operations safely, electricity must be temporarily switched off in the affected areas. Although such interruptions can be inconvenient, they are intended to reduce larger-scale failures and unexpected power cuts in the future.
How to check planned power outages with BEDAŞ (European side)
BEDAŞ is responsible for electricity distribution on the European side of Istanbul. For 24 March and for any other day, residents on the European side can:
– View the “Planned Outages” section on the official BEDAŞ website
– Use the BEDAŞ 186 mobile application to query planned or ongoing interruptions
– Register for SMS notifications from BEDAŞ to receive advance information about scheduled cuts in their area
Through these channels, users can usually search by district, neighborhood, or sometimes by meter or customer number to see:
– Whether a planned outage is scheduled
– The expected start and end times
– The type of work being conducted (maintenance, repair, improvement)
How to check planned power outages with AYEDAŞ (Asian side)
While the current plan concerns 22 districts on the European side, it is also important to understand the division of responsibility between the two main distribution companies in Istanbul:
– BEDAŞ manages electricity distribution and faults on the European side
– AYEDAŞ handles distribution and outages on the Asian side
Residents living on the Asian side can learn about planned outages through official AYEDAŞ channels, which typically include:
– The official AYEDAŞ website with a section dedicated to planned cuts
– Customer service options and digital tools offered by the company
Even though the 24 March 2026 program focuses on the European side, similar planned maintenance activities regularly occur on the Asian side and are communicated in advance.
How to prepare for the 24 March 2026 outages
If your home or business is located in one of the 22 affected districts, it is advisable to take some basic precautions before the scheduled cut:
– Check the exact outage time for your address using the official BEDAŞ tools or mobile app.
– Charge electronic devices such as phones, laptops, and power banks in advance.
– Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers frequently during the outage to keep food cold longer.
– Prepare alternative lighting such as battery-powered lamps or flashlights instead of using candles, which are a fire risk.
– Back up important data and files if you rely on desktop computers or network equipment.
– Plan business operations accordingly, especially if you operate shops, workshops, or offices that depend on uninterrupted electricity.
These simple steps can significantly reduce the impact of the planned cuts on daily life.
What to do if the power does not return at the scheduled time
Occasionally, maintenance and repair work can take longer than expected. If the electricity does not come back at the announced time:
1. Wait a short while, as restoration can sometimes be delayed by unforeseen technical issues.
2. Check the official outage inquiry tools again to see if the estimated restoration time has been updated.
3. Contact customer service of the relevant distribution company (BEDAŞ for European side) if the interruption continues far beyond the announced period or if you suspect a separate fault specific to your building or street.
Do not attempt to tamper with electrical installations or meters yourself. Any technical problem should be handled by authorized technicians.
Impact on daily life and public services
Planned power cuts can influence many aspects of city life:
– Elevators and building systems: In multi-storey buildings, elevators, lighting in common areas, and some security systems may be temporarily out of service.
– Small businesses: Groceries, hairdressers, workshops, and restaurants may need to adjust opening hours or use backup generators.
– Remote work and education: Those who work or study from home should schedule important online meetings or exams outside the announced outage window whenever possible.
– Traffic and transportation: While major infrastructure typically has backup systems, localized outages can still affect small traffic lights, signage, or local transport services.
Authorities and distribution companies generally try to minimize disruption, scheduling works for times when demand is relatively low.
How often are such outages announced?
In a megacity like Istanbul, where the population and electricity consumption are constantly rising, planned interruptions for improvement and maintenance are a regular part of grid management. The frequency can vary depending on:
– The age and condition of infrastructure in a particular area
– The intensity of demand and new construction
– Seasonal factors like extreme weather conditions
Residents are encouraged to check planned outage information periodically, especially if they live in districts with ongoing infrastructure projects.
Key points for 24 March 2026 in Istanbul
– Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026
– Scope: Planned power outages due to maintenance and repair work
– Side of the city: European side of Istanbul
– Number of affected districts: 22
– Main operator: Boğaziçi Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş. (BEDAŞ)
– Districts affected: Arnavutköy, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, Bakırköy, Başakşehir, Bayrampaşa, Beylikdüzü, Beyoğlu, Büyükçekmece, Çatalca, Esenler, Esenyurt, Fatih, Gaziosmanpaşa, Güngören, Kağıthane, Küçükçekmece, Sarıyer, Silivri, Sultangazi, Zeytinburnu
To know exactly when electricity will be cut and when it will return for a specific street or building, residents should use the official BEDAŞ inquiry tools, the BEDAŞ 186 mobile application, or SMS notification services. By planning ahead and following the announced schedule, households and businesses can get through the 24 March maintenance works with minimal disruption.