The Electricity Control Board (ECB) says regional electricity distributors (REDs) run electricity distribution better than local and regional councils.
The control board announced the results of its 2024/25 electricity infrastructure status report yesterday. The report looks at the state of the country’s electricity network every year.
“The findings confirm that our electricity network is in good shape overall, and that gives us real comfort. At the same time, the report is honest about where the weak spots are, especially in areas where electricity is run by local councils rather than by a dedicated company,” ECB chief executive Robert Kahimise says.
The country has three regional distributors: the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored), the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored), and the Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor Company.
Local authorities and regional councils also distribute electricity.
“Where electricity is run by local and regional councils, rather than a RED, the networks generally fared worse,” ECB spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said yesterday.
While the long-distance power transmission system is well maintained, Ashipala said there are concerns in local electricity delivery.
“This is where the report points to the areas that need the most work,” he says.
Cenored performed the best of the regional distributors in the annual inspections, with networks in good working condition.
“Nored, in the north, still has a number of non-compliance issues to address, although it has a maintenance system in place that helps keep those risks manageable,” Ashipala said.
Council-run areas in the ||Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions had the most issues, while Khomas and Otjozondjupa had the best network conditions.
“Overall, Namibia’s electricity network is in a satisfactory condition,” Ashipala said.
The ECB also inspected farms and mines. Several farming communities run their own electricity networks. According to the report, those networks are generally in poor condition and require urgent attention.
Mines, in general, have well-maintained networks.
“Namdeb was the main exception, accounting for more than half of all the problems found in the mining sector because of ageing equipment and too little maintenance,” Ashipala said.
The ECB says it will continue its monitoring studies to find problems early before they affect people’s electricity supply.
