Eskom will implement continuous stage 2 loadshedding until further notice due to the breakdown of six generating units at five power stations, the power utility said on Friday afternoon.

There has also been a delay in return to service of "numerous" generating units, spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha added. A generating unit each at Duvha, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba and two units at Arnot Power Station, were taken offline for repairs over the past 24 hours.

The delay in returning to service two generating units at Camden and one unit each at Arnot and Duvha power stations contributed to capacity constraints. Eskom is moreover facing a budget crunch for diesel supplies for its open cycle gas turbines.

It anticipates increased loadshedding over the next 6 to 12 months, it said.

"The imminent refuelling and maintenance outage, as well as the long-term operation project of Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, together with the October chimney failure that has forced three generation units offline at Kusile Power Station, will further reduce available generation capacity and significantly increase the occurrence of loadshedding during the next 6 to 12 months."

Currently 4 423MW of capacity is out on planned maintenance, while another 16 708MW is unavailable due to breakdowns.