Eskom implements stage one rolling power cuts

Eskom implements stage one load shedding which is likely to continue until 10pm this evening, it said in a statement.

"This is due to a shortage of generation capacity as several units are currently out of service due to planned and unplanned outages."

Eskom called on its customers to use electricity sparingly.

In a separate statement it warned that the power price would soon increase.

Eskom direct customers would pay 12.69 percent more for power from April 1, while municipalities' tariffs would increase 14.25 percent from July 1, as approved by the National Energy Regulator of SA in November last year.

It was also exploring options for a further review of tariff increases for the 2015/16 financial year, and had made submissions to the regulator in this regard.

In recent months, Eskom has battled to keep the lights on since the collapse of one of its coal storage silos, diesel shortages, and maintenance issues.