NamPower Seeks Regulatory Intervention Over N$1 Billion Electricity Debt Crisis

The Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) has formally requested the Electricity Control Board (ECB) to intervene in a critical dispute regarding outstanding electricity debts totaling approximately N$1 billion. The debt is owed by various local state entities and Angola’s national power utility. NamPower warns that prolonged non-payment threatens the security of Namibia’s national electricity supply. A letter from NamPower’s managing director reveals that 14 local authorities have breached repayment agreements, accounting for roughly N$635.3 million of the debt. Major defaulters include Mariental, Gobabis, and Karasburg. The situation has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, such as Ferdinand Hengombe, who labeled it a governance crisis involving potential mismanagement of public funds. He called for forensic audits and stricter financial controls. Meanwhile, the Rehoboth municipality, owing N$205 million, has been placed on a bulk prepayment system to manage arrears. NamPower is now submitting detailed account statuses to the ECB, urging immediate regulatory action to prevent systemic failure in the country's power infrastructure and ensure fiscal discipline among local authorities.