An unexpected loss of additional generation capacity has led power utility Eskom to kick off stage 1 load-shedding earlier than planned on Wednesday afternoon.

Rotational load-shedding would be implemented from 16:12, instead of 17:00, and would likely continue until 22:00, to shave 1 000 MW from the strained national electricity grid.

Eskom reiterated that while some areas would be left in the dark, 96% of South Africans would receive uninterrupted power supply.