Eskom announced it will be implementing load shedding from 10pm on Tuesday, December 29.

The power utility says this will extend until 5am on December 30. This same schedule will be repeated on Wednesday evening as well.

“The load shedding is necessary to preserve emergency generation reserves in preparation for higher demand expected during January as economic activity resumes. During this period Eskom will continue to pursue increased reliability maintenance as planned and previously communicated,” said the company, in a statement.

“Eskom teams are working around the clock to return as many of these units to service as soon as possible.”

The unplanned maintenance seems to be what is currently putting more strain than expected on the grid.

“Eskom requests the people of South Africa to use electricity sparingly in order to help us limit the impact of load shedding,” they said.

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