Nored leads the way in reform

ONDANGWA – Mines and Energy Minister Erkki Nghimtina said the reform of Namibia’s electricity distribution industry by creating the regional electricity distributors (Reds) is the route to go.

Nghimtina said this during the official inauguration of the N$20 million new head office of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) at Ondangwa in the Oshana Region on Friday.The Minister said this despite the outcry from some local authorities in the country that the creation of Reds has robbed them a crucial source of income.Nored was the first Red to be created in Namibia and the company covers the regions of Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Kavango, Caprivi and Kunene.Nghimtina suggested that in all its actions Nored should set a standard for all other Reds to follow suit.He said Nored has over the past seven years in operation demonstrated that Government’s resolve to achieve the goals set in its Energy White Paper, with specific reference to the restructuring of the electricity supply industry, is being achieved.Since its establishment in 2001, he said, Nored has set itself on the world map as a reliable energy supplier through its excellent performances.Said Nghimtina: ‘The Electricity Control Board (ECB) awarded Nored a 25 years operational licence for supplying and distribution of electricity in this parts of the country and has over the past years received awards of excellence from the ECB.’He said Nored was created as a direct result of Government policy on the restructuring of the electricity supply industry across the country.Apart from Nored, Central Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) and Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (Erongo Red) are the other two Reds currently in operation in the country.The Minister pointed out that Cenored has also taken over the Omaheke Region recently and, as such, the Khomas, Hardap and Karas are the only regions that are as yet to be covered by the Reds countrywide.’The three Reds currently in operation are a proof of the Government’s commitment to establish the efficient Reds industry,’ he said.He added that the Reds have the technical and managerial capacity to efficiently operate complex electricity distribution networks by investing in new technologies. – Nampa