Justicia Shipena
Local authorities and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) owe NamPower N$557 million after failing to meet repayment arrangements.
The Electricity Control Board (ECB) disclosed the figures following its board meeting on 9 December 2025.
The Mariental municipality owes the largest amount at N$233.29 million.
Meanwhile, Gobabis Municipality owes N$70.2 million, followed by Karasburg Municipality with N$59 million, Aranos Town Council with N$58 million, Maltahöhe Village Council with N$34 million, Gibeon Village Council with N$24 million and Bethanie Village Council with N$21 million.
Local authorities on bulk prepayment arrangements owe a further N$210 million.
Rehoboth Town Council, which has been on the system since May 2024, had a negative balance of N$12 million as of 25 November 2025.
Entities without repayment arrangements, including local authorities, regional councils, government offices, regional electricity distributors and state-owned enterprises, owe another N$72 million.
Lüderitz Town Council owes N$22 million, Keetmanshoop Municipality N$20 million, and the //Kharas Regional Council N$10 million. Angola’s utility company, RNT, also owes NamPower N$70 million.
ECB chief executive officer Robert Kahimise said the regulator remains focused on protecting the electricity sector while balancing affordability, reliability and security of supply.
He said rising demand, reliance on imports and growing debt levels continue to strain the sector and require responsible payment behaviour from all electricity consumers.
The ECB board also approved several decisions related to the electricity supply industry, including recommendations to the minister of industries, mines and energy for new generation licences.
These include projects by Beefcor Meat Suppliers in Okahandja, Namibia Marble and Granite in Karibib, NamPower facilities in Gerus and Zambezi, and a 23.03 MW solar photovoltaic project by Massaus and Titan Energy Solutions in Tsumeb to supply the Sino-Mine Dundee Precious Metals operation.
The board further approved permission for Osona to operate under the licences of CENORED and the distribution and supply licences of SORED shareholders.
Other approvals include the NamPower Bulk Tariff Review Plan for 2026/27, electricity vending guidelines subject to ministerial approval, the distribution losses targets framework, and the ratification of distribution tariffs for the 2025/26 financial year.
Kahimise said the ECB also approved its integrated strategic business plan for 2026–2031 as part of preparations for the transition to the Namibia Energy Regulatory Authority.
