Eskom has announced that rolling power cuts will be escalated from 16:00.

Stage 3 load-shedding will then come into effect and continue until 16:00 tomorrow. It will then be further increased to stage 4.

Power utility spokesperson Aubrey Sambo says: “This pattern of stage 3 load-shedding from 05:00 to 16:00 and stage 4 load-shedding from 16:00 to 05:00 will continue until Sunday when Eskom will share a further update for the week ahead.”

Sambo explains the heightened power cuts (previously implemented as stages 1 and 2 daily) is a result of six generating units shutting down, as well as a delay in returning three generating units to service.

“Unplanned outages are currently at 15 561MW of generating capacity, while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance is 7 828MW. Eskom power station general managers and their teams are working tirelessly to ensure that 1 960MW of generating capacity is returned to service by Monday evening,” he explains.