Percentage of South Africa's electricity production that is met by state-owned power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. Almost all of it is generated from coal, an abundant resource in the country.

Peak demand for electricity in the country.

Peak generation capacity of Eskom - well short of peak demand, leading to the latest round of rotational blackouts (aka load shedding). The current crisis is the result of a perfect storm in which rising costs, falling revenues, crumbling infrastructure, and decades of corruption and mismanagement each play a part.

Planned generation capacity of two coal fired power plants - Medupi and Kusile - that were proposed in mid-2000's. Expected to be fully operational in 2015, they are still years away from completion, with their construction beset by spiralling costs, delays and corruption scandals.

Eskom's debt, on which it can barely even afford the interest payments, and thus described by government officials as "technically insolvent" and in a "death spiral". 5 reasons for this situation are:

Kusile and Medupi plants are still years from completion, while their projected cost has doubled.

50% rise in cost of labour over the last 10 years. Price of coal has gone up too.

Non-payment by several large customers, especially poorer municipalities, leading to even more debt.

Wealthier customers and businesses have been turning towards renewable sources of energy, such as solar panels, whose cost has come down.

The utility has been forced to hike tariffs, which has contributed to a drop in sales.