There seems to be no end in sight for the troubles in South Africa’s power sector. Today, black workers at one of the power plants of the embattled Eskom embarked on a one-day strike to protest workplace discrimination and demand higher pay. “They are doing this especially to black workers, there is no white person staying in that hostel. This is discrimination,” Reuters quoted Steve Nhlapho, an organiser at the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA).

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told South African news site Fin24 that the company has shut down the yet to be completed Medupi Power Plant to protect its property and workers, after NUMSA announced the strike.

Eskom has been under fire for its inability to meet south Africa’s power demands. The company started rolling blackouts in January to devastating consequences for businesses and households. It is however, set to begin its stage 2 load shedding today.

The construction of the Medupi Power Station has been plagued by delays and spiraling costs that is expected to reach R149 billion. Although the station was supposed to start generating power several years ago, it only started on March 2 with 794MW.