Eskom has ramped up power outages by implementing stage 6 load shedding from 4 pm this afternoon until 5 am on Thursday when stage 5 kicks in.
In a statement, the embattled power utility said the pattern will be repeated daily until further notice.
According to Eskom, this is due to a shortage in generation capacity while two generation units were returned to service at Kriel Power Station over the past 24 hours, a generating unit at Duvha Power Station was taken offline for repairs.
Acting spokesperson Daphne Mokoena called on South Africans to use electricity sparingly as there are delays in returning some units to service.
“The delays in returning a unit to service at Camden, Kendal, Lethabo, Medupi, and Tutuka Power Stations have contributed to the capacity constraints along with the increase in demand following the long weekend and the reopening of schools,” Mokoena said.
Mokoena further said breakdowns are currently at 16 772 MW of generating capacity, while the generating capacity out of service for planned maintenance has been reduced to 5 807MW.
Eskom did not provide an outlook for the weekend; however, it said updates will be published if any significant changes occur.