Gobabis, others risk losing N$10.4 million in electricity rebates

Residents of Gobabis, Witvlei, Gochas, Osona Village, and Roshkor Township may miss out on lower electricity costs due to their local authorities failing to claim available tariff rebates.According to the Electricity Control Board of Namibia (ECB), N$10.4 million in rebates remains unclaimed. ECB CEO Robert Kahimise expressed frustration, questioning the leadership of the affected town councils for failing to submit their claims.Distribution licensees had between July and December to submit claims to the ECB for payment by the ministry of mines. Thus far, N$78.7 million has been paid out to licensees for the period July to September 2024 and include NamPower (N$62.7 million), Erongo RED (N$3.7 million), the Keetmanshoop Municipality (N$524 866), NamPower Distribution (N$1.3 million), NORED (N$8.7 million) and Oshakati Premier Electric (N$1.6 million). Additional claims received after the end of September include payments to the tune of N$6.5 million to the City of Windhoek, N$2.4 million to CENORED, N$111 503 to the Hardap Regional Council, N$30 240 to Osire Power, and N$771 845 to the Rehoboth Town Council. “What could be the delay? Is it that you do not need the money or what is your problem? You are pushing us to use the word incompetence,” Kahimise said of the claims that were not submitted. Kahimise ascribed the failure to submit the claims on the part of the entities mentioned as irresponsible on the part of its executive authorities. “I mean, you are running a public entity due to the commodity that you have been entrusted with which is electricity, it affects everyone’s life, you are expected to recover your cost of supply to run a sustainable business. Now does it mean you have no interest in running a sustainable business, or you do not know what you are doing?” Kahimise questioned. “We are just as worried,” he added. The ECB approved an 8% increase in NamPower 's bulk tariff for the 2024/2025 financial year in April 2024, followed by the distribution licensees ' tariffs in June 2024 which were to take effect on 1 July 2024.After public concerns on electricity affordability, the government availed approximately N$365 million to subsidise electricity consumers for the 2024/2025 financial year, effective 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, which coincides with the financial year of the licensees. This meant that electricity consumers would pay the same tariff as per the 2023/2024 Schedule of Approved Tariffs (SOAT). Of the availed amount, N$251 million is earmarked to be given to bulk energy supplier NamPower to ensure uninterrupted security of electricity supply, while the remaining N$115 million is to be utilised by distribution licensees to lessen the impact of the electricity tariff on their customers. Licensees have until June 2025 to submit claims, or risk forfeiting the assistance from the government.

Gobabis, others risk losing N$10.4 million in electricity rebates

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Gobabis, others risk losing N$10.4 million in electricity rebates

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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