Various entities owe NamPower N$912 million.
This was mentioned by the Electricity Control Board (ECB), warning that the escalating debt continues to strain the national electricity supply system.
The ECB's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Kahimise, at a media briefing, said local authorities and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) account for N$557 million, while the Mariental Municipality owes the largest portion of N$233 million.
"I also have to transmit this information on NamPower's outstanding debt. NamPower is currently owed a total of N$912 million across various entities. It is close to a billion. If NamPower had that billion and they invested in the likes of the generation projects, bringing down the cost, we wouldn't struggle in realising some of the benefits, especially in decreasing expensive imports with local generation. So, NamPower is owed over N$900 million."
Kahimise warned that the escalating debt continues to strain the national electricity supply system. He urged newly elected regional councillors to urgently address the mounting arrears in their regions.
"Local authorities, regional councils, government offices, reds, SOEs, reds, it was only NORED. They are in good standing now. I can report that they are now in good standing with NamPower. SOEs, without repayment arrangements collectively, owe NamPower N$72 million. With Luderitz Council, N$22 million. These ones that I'm mentioning now, they don't have any settlement arrangements, because they have always been in good standing. But for some reason, when a report was compiled, they are now in arrears. Luderitz Town Council, N$22 million. Keetmanshoop municipality through KEBU, N$20 million. ||Kharas Regional Council, N$10 million, is among the highest that contributes to that N$72 million," he added.
He added that all avenues to recover the outstanding amounts have been exhausted, and failure to repay may affect consumers through possible supply interruptions, delayed maintenance, or future tariff pressure.
ECB tariff analysts visit communities each year to investigate why some local authorities remain trapped in long-term debt and other bulk suppliers.
The electricity regulator says it will keep monitoring the situation to safeguard energy security.