Residents losing out as towns fail to reclaim N$10m power rebates

Residents of Gobabis, Witvlei, Gochas, Osona Village, and the Roshkor Township may face higher electricity costs due to the failure of their local authorities to claim available tariff rebates. The Electricity Control Board of Namibia (ECB) revealed that N$10.4 million remains unclaimed, with CEO Robert Kahimise expressing frustration over the failure of the affected town councils to submit their claims.Distribution licensees had from July to December to submit claims to the ECB for payment by the ministry of mines. So far, N$78.7 million has been paid out for the period from July to September 2024, with notable payments including N$62.7 million to NamPower, N$3.7 million to Erongo RED, N$524,866 to the Keetmanshoop municipality, N$1.3 million to NamPower Distribution, N$8.7 million to Nored, and N$1.6 million to Oshakati Premier Electric. Additional claims received after September have included 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.Kahimise questioned the delay in claims, asking: "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." He criticised the failure to submit claims as irresponsible behaviour by the affected authorities. “You are running a public entity entrusted with electricity, which affects everyone’s life. You are expected to recover your cost of supply and run a sustainable business. Does it mean you have no interest in running a sustainable business, or you do not know what you are doing?” Kahimise said. “We are just as worried,” he added.In April 2024, the ECB approved an 8% increase in NamPower's bulk tariff for the 2024/2025 financial year, followed by tariff adjustments for distribution licensees in June 2024, effective July 1, 2024. To address public concerns about electricity affordability, the government allocated approximately N$365 million in subsidies for electricity consumers during the 2024/2025 financial year, from July 2024 to June 2025. This means that electricity consumers will pay the same tariffs as the previous financial year. Of the allocated amount, N$251 million is designated for NamPower to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, while the remaining N$115 million is to be distributed among the licensees to reduce the impact of tariff increases on customers.Licensees have until June 2025 to submit claims or risk forfeiting the government subsidy assistance. Meanwhile, the Gobabis Municipality has yet to submit its claim for a tariff rebate despite the planned 8% bulk tariff increase.

Residents losing out as towns fail to reclaim N$10m power rebates

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Residents losing out as towns fail to reclaim N$10m power rebates

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

Please login to leave a comment

Login