Load shedding is not expected on Thursday, but there is an increased likelihood as some generation units have been taken off the grid for emergency repairs, Eskom has said.
In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Eskom said the system was "constrained, vulnerable and unpredictable", and any additional shift in generational performance could spark a fresh spate of rolling blackouts at short notice
Emergency reserves would be used to supplement supply overnight, it said.
As at 17:30 on Wednesday, unplanned outages or breakdowns had increased to to 11 773 MW. Planned maintenance stood at 4 602MW.
The cash-strapped power utility has warned of an increased likelihood of power cuts over the next 18 months as it conducts maintenance on its fleet of ageing power plants.
Compiled by Lameez Omarjee