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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Electricity Control Board

Also known as: ECB · Electricity Control Board of Namibia

Electricity Control Board — Namibia's electricity regulator approving tariffs, licensing distribution networks, and implementing generation standards.

2024-09-162026-09-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. September 2024
  2. The Namibian

    Electricity Control Board has been developing since last year a draft Green Hydrogen Bill yet to be tabled in Parliament

    Source

    One of the stumbling blocks is the lack of a legal framework, with a draft Green Hydrogen Bill under development by the Electricity Control Board since last year yet to be tabled in Parliament.

    Slow walk to deliver GH2 talk in Namibia
Business

Windhoek electricity tariffs to rise 3.6% from September 2026

The News

The City of Windhoek has announced a 3.6% average electricity tariff increase for households, businesses and institutions, effective 1 September 2026, following ECB approval. The adjustment aims to support maintenance and improvement of the municipality's electricity infrastructure.

2 September 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Windhoek electricity tariffs to rise 3.6% from September 2026

    The City of Windhoek has announced a 3.6% average electricity tariff increase for households, businesses and institutions, effective 1 September 2026, following ECB approval. The adjustment aims to support maintenance and improvement of the municipality's electricity infrastructure.

    2 September 2026 · New Era

  2. ECB launches platform for embedded generation applications

    The Electricity Control Board, with EU support, has launched the Embedded Generation Application Platform to streamline applications for embedded generation systems below 500 kilovolt-amperes. The ECB CEO described the platform as part of Namibia's fundamental electricity sector transformation, reflecting growing confidence in the country's energy future and supporting national goals for energy security and diversification.

    2 September 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 25 August

  1. ECB says Namibia's electricity network overall satisfactory

    The Electricity Control Board reports that Namibia's high-voltage backbone operated by NamPower is well maintained and reliable, but distribution networks delivering power to homes and businesses need improvement, according to findings in the 2024/2025 National Electricity Infrastructure Status Report.

    25 August 2026 · Informanté

  2. Regional electricity distributors outperform councils in network management

    The Electricity Control Board's 2024/25 infrastructure report finds that regional electricity distributors run electricity distribution networks better than local and regional councils, with concerns identified particularly in areas where councils manage distribution rather than dedicated companies.

    25 August 2026 · The Namibian

  3. ECB threatens to revoke electricity licences from underperforming councils

    The Electricity Control Board has warned it will revoke electricity distribution licences from underperforming municipalities and regional councils and transfer networks to operators with proven capacity, following an audit that found widespread non-compliance across Namibia's power infrastructure. The audit of nine distribution licensees found most networks rated poor due to inadequate safety code implementation and substandard maintenance, with ||Kharas, Hardap, and Omaheke regions carrying the highest compliance risk.

    25 August 2026 · The Namibian

  4. ECB audit rates most regional electricity infrastructure poor

    An Electricity Control Board audit of Namibia's electricity distribution infrastructure found that most regions have poor infrastructure, with //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke facing high risk of continued non-compliance. Only Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions were classified as satisfactory.

    25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  5. Mulunga leads REIAoN toward coordinated renewable energy action

    Paulus Mulunga has been appointed chairperson of the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN) and pledges to shift the association from advocacy to coordinated action, establishing specialised task forces focused on solar PV, net metering, IPPs, electric mobility, green hydrogen, manufacturing and government engagement.

    25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Friday 7 August

  1. Nudo demands probe into electricity sector electrocution deaths

    A National Unity Democratic Organisation MP has called for an independent audit into a series of fatal electrocution incidents in the electricity sector, citing repeated workplace deaths at regional distributors and claiming eight fatalities have occurred in the sector over the past four years.

    7 August 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 29 July

  1. ECB renews ban on electricity export generation licences

    The Electricity Control Board has renewed a moratorium on granting generation licences for electricity export purposes, effective from 5 September 2025 for 40 months (until 5 January 2029) or until transmission network constraints are alleviated. The move is prompted by limited transmission capacity on interconnectors within South Africa, which constrains electricity exports from Namibia into the Southern African Power Pool.

    29 July 2026 · Informanté

Monday 27 July

  1. Rising cost of living outpaces salary growth for Namibians

    Namibians report that expenses are rising faster than wages, forcing many to rely on side hustles and cash loans to survive. The squeeze is intensifying as electricity and municipal tariffs increase while workers' salaries remain stagnant.

    27 July 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 21 July

  1. ECB approves 3.7% NamPower tariff rise, residents concerned

    The Electricity Control Board approved a 3.7% bulk electricity tariff increase for NamPower effective 1 August 2026, raising the average bulk tariff to N$2.14/kWh. Windhoek residents, landlords and small business owners warn the increase will deepen financial pressure on households and businesses already struggling with rising living costs.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Windhoek residents warn of strain from 3.7% electricity tariff hike

    The Electricity Control Board approved a 3.7% bulk electricity tariff increase for NamPower effective 1 August 2026, raising the average bulk tariff from N$2.06 to N$2.14 per kilowatt-hour. Windhoek residents, landlords, and small business owners say the increase will add to financial pressure as living costs rise, with some landlords warning they may need to raise rents.

    21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 20 July

  1. Government spent N$90 million to reduce electricity tariff increase

    The Namibian government allocated N$90 million (N$50 million from the Long Run Marginal Cost Fund and N$40 million from the National Energy Fund) to cushion consumers against higher electricity tariffs. The ECB approved a 3.7% bulk tariff increase from 1 August 2026, down from NamPower's 8.4% application, bringing the average bulk tariff to N$2.14 per kWh from N$2.06 per kWh.

    20 July 2026 · Informanté

  2. Windhoek activists challenge 4% tariff hike amid service gaps

    Community activists Shaun Gariseb and Sem David have questioned the City of Windhoek's 4% municipal tariff increase, arguing that residents should not pay more while informal settlements lack adequate sanitation, water, and waste services. Gariseb cited Mix Settlement's sanitation and water infrastructure shortages—including only four of six communal water taps functioning for roughly 4,000 residents—as evidence the city should improve service delivery before raising tariffs.

    20 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 13 July

  1. Namibia inflation expected to ease in H2 2026 after June peak

    Namibia's inflation, which peaked at 4.4% in June, is expected to moderate in the second half of 2026 following fuel price cuts in July. However, economists warn that electricity tariffs, administered price increases, and food costs pose upside risks.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Friday 10 July

  1. Namibia recognized for distributed electricity generation reforms

    Namibia has received continental recognition for its progress in regulating distributed electricity generation through development and implementation of net metering rules and embedded generation standards. The Electricity Control Board says Namibia was identified as a leading country in the GET.transform Distributed Generation Programme and positioned as a benchmark for other African countries.

    10 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 6 July

  1. City of Windhoek suspends staff over billing system manipulation

    City of Windhoek employees have been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings over accusations of manipulating the municipality's billing system. The municipality declined to disclose the number of suspended staff, citing labour confidentiality, though ratepayers' association says some have been suspended for about two years and has called for release of a Deloitte forensic audit of the billing system.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 15 June

  1. Activists call for water, sewer repairs before prepaid meters

    Community activists demand the government repair collapsing water and sewer networks in underserved neighbourhoods before implementing prepaid metering. The minister of urban and rural development has acknowledged that bulk infrastructure, especially sewer reticulation, is aging under population pressure, and said the ministry is engaging local authorities to prioritize upgrades while prepaid metering implementation is underway in nine towns.

    15 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 12 May

  1. NamPower seeks ECB intervention on N$1bn debt crisis

    Namibia Power Corporation has asked the Electricity Control Board to intervene in efforts to recover N$1 billion owed by local state entities and Angola's power utility for electricity. NamPower says 14 local authorities have breached repayment arrangements totalling about N$635.3 million, and prolonged non-payment could undermine the security of the country's electricity supply.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Namibia's oil discoveries offer chance to build local refining capacity

    Recent oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, with an over 80% exploration success rate, position Namibia to avoid reliance on imported fuel and build local refining capacity—a lesson highlighted by recent fuel price shocks tied to Middle Eastern conflicts.

    5 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Namibia ranks 13th in Africa on electricity regulation index

    The African Development Bank's Electricity Regulatory Index measures how effectively African countries regulate their electricity sectors across governance, regulatory substance, and outcomes. In the 2022 ERI report, Namibia achieved a score of 0.618, placing 13th out of 43 African countries, emerging as one of Africa's most promising regulatory success stories.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Windhoek student installs solar power at Groot Aub shop

    University of Namibia student Magdalena Ndivayele, who runs a cuca shop at Groot Aub settlement 56 kilometres south of Windhoek, installed a solar system after the City of Windhoek failed to connect the area to the national grid despite repeated promises. The solar installation has improved safety in her section and attracted more customers to her shop.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 19 April

  1. NamPower lists N$5 billion note programme on NSX for capital access

    Namibia Power Corporation has successfully listed a N$5 billion Domestic Medium-Term Note Programme on the Namibia Securities Exchange, enabling the utility to raise funding through various debt instruments aligned with strategic projects and sustainability goals. The listing follows a two-year preparation process and provides NamPower with flexible, cost-effective access to capital markets while supporting Namibia's energy sector expansion.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Cabinet approves livestock hub, gold reservation, electricity study

    Namibian Cabinet approved development of a commercial cattle feedlot and livestock value chain hub at Farm Kehoro under a 25-year lease, reserved the Okoutjete Gold occurrence in Kunene from mining operations, and ordered a technical assessment of Northern Regional Electricity Distributor's infrastructure needs following recent industrial action.

    14 April 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 1 April

  1. ECB introduces new pricing rules for electricity utilities

    The Electricity Control Board is establishing new regulations requiring utilities to justify tariffs against actual costs, with a framework designed to incentivise efficiency while keeping prices affordable and predictable over multi-year periods. NamPower has proposed an 8.4% bulk tariff increase, though consumer analysts warn that such increases could burden low-income households already struggling with inflation.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 27 March

  1. NamPower seeks 8.4% electricity tariff increase for 2027

    The Namibia Power Corporation has applied to the Electricity Control Board to increase electricity tariffs by 8.4%, driven by the need to align fixed operational costs with a new cost-reflective tariff methodology and increased imported electricity and fuel prices. If approved, the average bulk tariff will rise from 206.11 c/kWh to 223.40 c/kWh.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 26 March

  1. Innovation must strengthen energy access and reduce inequalities – Amutse

    At the opening of the 22nd African Forum for Utility Regulators conference in Swakopmund, Industries Minister Modestus Amutse called on Africa to ensure innovation in energy, water, communications and transport expands access for all rather than widening inequalities. He highlighted Namibia's renewable energy potential, including emerging leadership in green hydrogen, and commitments to inclusive economic growth and regulatory frameworks that attract investment while guaranteeing affordable services.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Namibia hosts African utility regulators conference on technology

    Namibia is hosting the 22nd Annual Conference of the African Forum for Utility Regulators in Swakopmund from 22–27 March, bringing together regulators from across the continent to explore how innovative technologies can improve access to essential services in energy, water, transport, and other sectors. The conference theme is "Innovative Technologies for Inclusive and Resilient Utility Regulation," with delegates discussing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

    25 March 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 24 March

  1. High Court bars Windhoek from cutting electricity for unpaid water bills

    The High Court dismissed the City of Windhoek's bid to cut off electricity to customers in arrears on water and other municipal fees, upholding an Electricity Control Board directive prohibiting the practice. Judge Andrew Corbett ruled that while regulations permit suspension for unpaid electricity accounts, they do not allow blockage of prepaid meters for failure to pay other municipal charges, and that Electricity Act provisions prevail over local authority rules.

    24 March 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Minister targets 80% electricity access within four years

    The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse said Namibia can achieve 80% national electricity connectivity in four years with sustained effort, up from the current 47–56% rate. The government aims for 70% connectivity by 2030, and Amutse urged stakeholders and the Electricity Control Board to ensure that licenced power generators deliver on their commitments rather than merely hold inactive licences.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian

Electricity Control Board — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute