The Electricity Control Board has announced the renewal of a moratorium on the granting of electricity generation licences for export purposes, citing ongoing transmission constraints in the regional power network.
The board in a media statement on Monday said minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse approved the renewal on the regulator’s recommendation in terms of the Electricity Act.
“The renewed moratorium is effective from 5 September 2025 for a period of 40 months, ending 5 January 2029, or until the existing transmission network constraints are alleviated, whichever occurs first,” the statement reads.
According to the board, limited transmission capacity on interconnectors in neighbouring South Africa continues to restrict electricity exports from Namibia into the Southern African Power Pool (Sapp).
“This ongoing transmission constraint means that granting additional generation licences for export purposes at this time could create regulatory obligations the network is not yet able to support,” the statement says.
The Electricity Control Board (ECB) further says it is working with NamPower to assess available transmission capacity and has discouraged the submission of new licence applications for electricity exports until the assessment is completed.
“Variable renewable energy plants with battery energy storage systems intended specifically for night-time electricity export to the Sapp are exempted from the moratorium,” it says.
The ECB says independent power producers participating in transmission infrastructure upgrades within the National Transmission Company South Africa network that are aimed at easing congestion and increasing export capacity are also exempt, subject to formal confirmation from the South African utility.
“The ECB, in collaboration with NamPower, is currently assessing the available capacity and is therefore not considering the submission of new licence applications for export purposes until further notice,” the statement reads.
The regulator says the moratorium is a temporary measure intended to address existing infrastructure constraints and is not aimed at discouraging investment in Namibia’s electricity sector.
