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"Eskom load-sheds the smelters to assist in maintaining power supply in South Africa over peak periods with no compensation for loss of production during that period," the company said.
"Eskom is currently making use of this provision."
The move follows after Eskom declared a power "emergency" and urged key industrial customers to cut consumption to reduce pressure on the grid after the loss of some of its generating units."Eskom is now following the protocol in terms of its emergency procedures in order to secure the power system," it said in a statement.
"We have alerted our key industrial customers and have required them to reduce their load by a minimum of 10%," it added.
As a precautionary measure, the utility said it would also publish a schedule for rolling blackouts on Tuesday but added that it would make every effort to avoid "load shedding", as the practice is known in South Africa.
The announcement, which could hit output at factories, mines and smelters across Africa's biggest economy, hit the rand, turning the currency slightly weaker against the dollar on the day after being a touch firmer beforehand.
Spot platinum rose nearly 1% to a session high $1 422.50/oz after the statement. South Africa is home to around 80% of the world's platinum reserves.
Eskom provides 95% of South Africa's power but has struggled to ensure supply over the last five years as it has raced to bring long-overdue power plants online after the grid nearly collapsed in 2008.
