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Cape Town - Eskom will implement stage 1 load shedding and curtailment from 08:00 on Saturday, which is likely to continue until 22:00 this evening.
This is due to the shortage of generating capacity, the power utility said in a statement on Saturday morning.
It also warned that any unexpected changes on the "vulnerable and constrained power system" could lead to a change in the load shedding stage at short notice.
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Eskom is struggling to keep the lights due to a lack of maintenance of its aging power stations, delays in bringing new plants on stream and amid a severe cash crunch.
The utility is getting a R23bn cash injection from government this year and said in April it would cut power to the top 20 defaulting municipalities from June 5 to help recover outstanding debt.
Nersa said in a statement Eskom has now applied to the regulator for the selective reopening of the Third Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) decision for the 2015/2016 to 2017/2018 period.
According to Eskom this is because it requires cost recovery of R32.9bn for Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) and R19.9bn for the Short-Term Power Purchase Programme (STPPP).
Eskom wants a 10.10% selective reopener for OCGTs and STPPP and a 2.51% increase in the environmental levy by 2c/kWh.
Nersa said that the energy regulator is considering the application, taking into consideration the urgent need to stabilise the electricity network to avoid a possible total blackout and Eskom’s operational and financial challenges.
