ECB threatens to revoke electricity licenses from underperforming councils

This warning follows an audit that revealed widespread non-compliance across Namibia's power infrastructure, focusing on transmission, distribution, and supply networks in all 14 regions. The ECB's National Electricity Infrastructure Status Report for 2024/2025 indicated that nine audited distribution licensees had most networks rated as poor due to inadequate implementation of the Namibia Electricity Safety Code and substandard maintenance. The ||Kharas region showed the highest risk of non-compliance, followed by Hardap and Omaheke.

Regions served by regional electricity distributors REDs generally outperformed council-run areas, with only Khomas City of Windhoek and Otjozondjupa Central North Regional Electricity Distributor rated satisfactory among council-linked regions. The ECB plans to intensify audits of aging infrastructure and formally notify local and regional councillors and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development of recurring non-compliance. The board also renewed calls for the operationalization of two planned regional distributors, Southern RED and Central RED, urging the ministry to encourage reluctant local authorities to join.

The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development was asked to provide budgetary alloca