Electricity Control Board chief executive Robert Kahimise. Windhoek, 10 February 2026
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Good morning to all.
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the stakeholder consultation workshop on the development of licence conditions for small embedded generators and pilot projects.
Your presence here reflects the growing importance of embedded generation in Namibia’s evolving electricity supply industry and our shared commitment to regulatory clarity, compliance and sustainable sector development.
At the outset, I wish to emphasise that, in terms of the Electricity Act, 2007, the licensing of electricity activities is a legal requirement, and no person may generate, trade, transmit, supply, distribute, import or export electricity in Namibia unless duly authorised through a licence or exemption under the act.
As the Electricity Control Board (ECB), our mandate is not only to regulate, but also to enable orderly growth while safeguarding system reliability, consumer interests and fair market participation. An important aspect hereof is to identify barriers to facilitate entry to, and the growth of, the Namibian electricity supply industry (ESI).
In this regard, over-regulation can be seen and experienced as an entry barrier. For this reason, the ECB launched this project to investigate the categorisation of generation projects which could qualify for a simplified regulatory licensing process. The simplified licence process we will discuss today is designed to provide a clear, consistent and transparent regulatory framework that supports project development while ensuring accountability and compliance throughout the lifecycle of embedded generation facilities and pilot projects.
This workshop provides an important platform for engagement, learning and alignment. We encourage open dialogue, practical questions and constructive input as we walk through the proposed simplified licence conditions and forms, their intent, and the responsibilities they place on licensees.
Our objective is to ensure that all stakeholders leave this session with a clear understanding of the objectives of a simplified generation licensing process, which categories of generation projects will qualify for this process, and how it will facilitate removing barriers and support the growth of the ESI for the overall benefit of licensees, customers and the industry.
I wish you a productive and insightful workshop and look forward to the discussions ahead.
Thank you.
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