No power cuts planned for weekend

Eskom says the power grid is stabilising in the short term, with no cuts planned over the weekend. 

"No load shedding is expected over the weekend as there is adequate generation capacity to meet demand, and emergency reserves are also available to supplement capacity, if necessary," it said in a power update. 

The power utility said that all emergency generators remain at good levels and could be used to supplement capacity over the weekend should the need arise. 

However, Eskom warned that the system may change at short notice as it continues to try and decease the frequency of unplanned outages. Unplanned breakdowns were at 11 586MW as at 6:00 on Saturday morning, will above the utility's goal of 9 500MW. .

Eskom reintroduced rotational load shedding in the first week of January, after a brief reprieve over the festive season.

 *Compiled by Sibongile Khumalo and Jan Cronje