Eskom implemented stage-one rotational load shedding on Thursday, then progressed the blackouts to stage two later in the day. The state-owned utility blamed a “shortage of capacity” for the move.
In a statement, the company said the rolling blackouts would start at 11am and would likely continue until 11pm. It later said it would move to stage-two load shedding from 3pm.
Stage one involves cutting 1GW of capacity from the grid on a national basis, while stage two cuts 2GW.
“Load shedding is conducted rotationally as a measure of last resort to protect the power system from a total collapse or blackout,” it said in the statement.
“We continue to appeal to residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly during this period. Please switch off geysers as well as all non-essential lighting and electrical appliances to assist in reducing demand,” it added. — (c) 2019 NewsCentral Media