State-owned power utility Eskom on Friday started Stage 1 load shedding as rising electricity demand from reopening industries and limited capacity continue to weigh on the overworked national grid.

Eskom was planning to implement Stage 1 load shedding between 11:00 and 22:00 on Friday after the increased demand and a loss of capacity threatened a grid collapse.

The December break provided a breather for Eskom to perform maintenance; however, demand was expected to surpass capacity as more businesses and schools reopened next week.

On Thursday, Eskom reported technical issues at two units, with an Eskom spokesperson explaining to Engineering News Online on Friday that while those units were repaired, a number of units initially expected to come online did not by midday.