Steep power bills cost green schemes N$34.9m annually
Big strain on Namibia’s green schemes
Namibia aims to produce 80% of the electricity it consumes locally while increasing national access from 50% to 70%, according to the Electricity Control Board (ECB).
But the cost of keeping the lights on at state-run green schemes weighs heavily on government efforts to boost food production, a recent workshop revealed.
During the meeting held in Rundu on Monday, officials said state-owned green schemes spent N$34.9 million on electricity during the 2024/2025 financial year, a figure that underscores the urgent need for cost-cutting and operational reform.
ECB chief executive Robert Kahimise said electricity drives both operations and productivity at green schemes.
“Electricity costs are more than bills. They affect how farmers plan, when they pump water, and ultimately how much food reaches households,” he said.
Kahimise said government’s long-term plan is to generate more power locally.
He said under Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan, government aims to improve affordability and reliability for both urban users and farmers in remote areas. But for now, the focus is on using power smarter.
“A kilowatt you don’t use is the cheapest one,” he told the workshop, urging green scheme managers to make practical changes, like staggering irrigation schedules, using variable speed drives and adopting solar where possible, without compromising grid stability.
Unsustainable expenses
An August report by Namibian Sun showed how deep the problem runs. The Shadikongoro Green Scheme spent N$2.3 million on power between March 2024 and March 2025.
At Ndonga Linena, farm manager Janno Rentel said their electricity bill reaches N$12 million annually, mainly due to water-intensive irrigation. Smaller operations such as Sikondo and Uvhungu-Vhungu spend over N$200 000 a year.
Agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said electricity makes up nearly 35% of monthly operation costs at some schemes, which threatens long-term sustainability even after efficiency upgrades.
“Cutting electricity bills is not just about saving money, it’s about securing the future of food production,” she underlined.
Consider alternatives
Abraham Hangula, deputy director in the energy ministry, said subsidies alone will not solve the problem.
He urged farmers to adopt better load management, consider daytime solar for pumping and schedule irrigation outside peak hours to avoid unnecessary costs.
Kahimise said the ECB and its partners will continue working with agriculture officials to share data, review tariffs and promote operational changes that can reduce energy waste. “If we plan carefully and work together, we can cut avoidable costs, keep distributors sustainable and make sure green schemes continue to feed Namibia,” he said.
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But the cost of keeping the lights on at state-run green schemes weighs heavily on government efforts to boost food production, a recent workshop revealed.
During the meeting held in Rundu on Monday, officials said state-owned green schemes spent N$34.9 million on electricity during the 2024/2025 financial year, a figure that underscores the urgent need for cost-cutting and operational reform.
ECB chief executive Robert Kahimise said electricity drives both operations and productivity at green schemes.
“Electricity costs are more than bills. They affect how farmers plan, when they pump water, and ultimately how much food reaches households,” he said.
Kahimise said government’s long-term plan is to generate more power locally.
He said under Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan, government aims to improve affordability and reliability for both urban users and farmers in remote areas. But for now, the focus is on using power smarter.
“A kilowatt you don’t use is the cheapest one,” he told the workshop, urging green scheme managers to make practical changes, like staggering irrigation schedules, using variable speed drives and adopting solar where possible, without compromising grid stability.
Unsustainable expenses
An August report by Namibian Sun showed how deep the problem runs. The Shadikongoro Green Scheme spent N$2.3 million on power between March 2024 and March 2025.
At Ndonga Linena, farm manager Janno Rentel said their electricity bill reaches N$12 million annually, mainly due to water-intensive irrigation. Smaller operations such as Sikondo and Uvhungu-Vhungu spend over N$200 000 a year.
Agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said electricity makes up nearly 35% of monthly operation costs at some schemes, which threatens long-term sustainability even after efficiency upgrades.
“Cutting electricity bills is not just about saving money, it’s about securing the future of food production,” she underlined.
Consider alternatives
Abraham Hangula, deputy director in the energy ministry, said subsidies alone will not solve the problem.
He urged farmers to adopt better load management, consider daytime solar for pumping and schedule irrigation outside peak hours to avoid unnecessary costs.
Kahimise said the ECB and its partners will continue working with agriculture officials to share data, review tariffs and promote operational changes that can reduce energy waste. “If we plan carefully and work together, we can cut avoidable costs, keep distributors sustainable and make sure green schemes continue to feed Namibia,” he said.
[email protected]
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