Stage 4 load shedding will remain in place until 10 this evening.

Thereafter Stage 2 will be implemented for the mornings of Saturday and Sunday.

Stage 4 will then kick in from 7am until 10pm over those days.

Eskom says that the change in scheduling is due to a lower than anticipated demand.

Now the high cost of keeping Eskom’s remaining generating units running may soon be felt by South Africans.

The utility’s Chief Operating Officer, Jan Oberholzer says that there are eight Open Cycle Gas Turbines in operation, which could go up to 12 during peak.

Each machine uses 14 litres of diesel per second.

Eskom’s high reliance on diesel operated open cycle gas turbines will place further strain on struggling families who will have to choose between paying for electricity or food.

South Africa has not been cushioned by the global fuel crisis.

Consumers are feeling the pressure at the petrol stations and at the grocery store.