Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented at 16:00 to 24:00 on Wednesday and at the same time on Thursday, Eskom announced.

The breakdowns of a generation unit each at Duvha, Kendal and Kriel power stations during the last 24 hours, as well as the delays in returning units to service at Arnot, Kusile and Tutuka power stations have put a severe strain on the power generation system.

During the same period, Eskom teams have returned a unit each at Arnot and Tutuka power stations to service. While a generation unit each at Kriel, Majuba and Tutuka power stations is expected to return to service over the next 24 hours, this will still be insufficient to stave off load-shedding for Thursday, Eskom said.

Some 4 550MW in power generation is out on planned maintenance, while another 14 637MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.