Due to the sustained improved performance of generation availability as well as the anticipated lower demand over the long weekend, Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented at 16:00 this afternoon until 05:00 on Saturday. Thereafter, loadshedding will be suspended over the long weekend and will resume at Stage 1 from 05:00 on Tuesday, Eskom said in a statement.

During the weekend, it will address "minor defects on some generating units" with planned maintenance, it added.

Breakdowns are currently at 14 364MW of generating capacity while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 5 731MW.

Eskom’s load forecast for the evening peak demand is 27 406MW. Over the past 24 hours, a generating unit each at Arnot and Kendal power stations was taken offline for repairs. The anticipated return to service of a generating unit at Kendal Power Station has been delayed.