WATCH | Power stations not past their sell-by date - Mantashe

JOHANNESBURG - Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has contradicted Eskom on one of the main explanations for rolling blackouts, the age of its power stations.

READ | SA's electricity crisis | Eskom extends blackouts

Eskom constantly cites the age of the fleet, which averages around 42 years, as one of the reasons for frequent plant breakdowns and maintenance challenges that lead to blackouts.

Mantashe also offered up a simple solution for blackouts.