Eskom warns of possible rolling blackouts this week

In a statement, the power utility says it might be forced to implement load shedding over the next three days between 4pm and midnight at short notice.

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says this is due to a shortage of generation capacity.

Mantshantsha says the delay in returning a generation unit to service each at Arnot, Kusile and the Koeberg power stations, as well as the failure of a generation unit each at Medupi, Hendrina, Camden and two units at Majuba Power Station, has led to capacity constraints.

READ: Godongwana: Govt looking to relieve Eskom debt burden

"Some generation units at other power stations are expected to return to service over the next few days. However, should there be any further loss of generation capacity over the next three days, or should some units fail to return to service as anticipated, load shedding may be required to be implemented at short notice,” says Mantshantsha.

"We currently have 2 986MW on planned maintenance, while another 15 513MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns."