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Johannesburg - The power supply has slightly improved but emergency protocols remain in force on Thursday, Eskom said.
"The situation has improved since Tuesday... [and] the power supply is adequate at the moment," spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said.
On Tuesday, the power utility declared an electricity supply emergency due to the loss of additional generating units from power stations and the extensive use of emergency reserves.
Since then, power generation had improved and more capacity was available.
Etzinger said the co-operation of industrial customers helped stabilise the power supply after they were asked to reduce their consumption by 10%.
"The emergency we declared on Tuesday is still in force but we are reviewing it on a continual basis."
On Wednesday, Eskom said it expected the system to be "extremely tight" until next Friday.
"We are doing everything possible to ensure that we have adequate emergency reserves and that we have sufficient water, coal and diesel supplies to limit any additional risks."
Eskom needed more diesel than usual because during the emergency diesel-fired open cycle gas turbines were being used for longer periods to help increase the power supply.
"Our technical teams are also hard at work to bring back units at our generating units, primarily out of service due to mechanical failures."
Eskom appealed to consumers to conserve power by switching off pool pumps, geysers, air conditioning, and unnecessary lights.
