State-owned power company Eskom’s board has approved three emergency procurement programmes that now only require the approval of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, which will host hearings on Friday, local media reported.

"Apart from appointing the minister of electricity, we have announced we are now embarking on procuring emergency power. Government is determined to keep the lights on," Mr Mashatile said on Thursday.

He said, in some instances, Eskom would use diesel to keep the lights on, adding that the government was still committed to renewable energy.

His remarks came shortly after Eskom issued a statement on Wednesday warning that the country’s power system was severely constrained, with a high likelihood of prolonged power outages during winter.