NamPower is sitting on N$912 million in unpaid bills from local governments, state-owned companies, and power distributors across Namibia. Electricity Control Board boss Robert Kahimise said Mariental Municipality leads the deadbeat list with N$233 million owed, while Gobabis owes N$70 million, and smaller towns like Karasburg and Aranos are deep in the red. Angola's utility company, RNT, also hasn't paid up N$70 million for cross-border electricity purchases.
Kahimise pointed out that Rehoboth Town Council is already on a prepaid system, but somehow racked up a negative N$12 million balance, which could get their power cut instantly. He explained that many municipalities are losing money by buying electricity at higher rates than they charge residents, and this business model basically guarantees debt.
The regulator warned that Mariental is next to get switched to prepayment meters that automatically shut off when accounts run dry.
Kahimise pointed out that Rehoboth Town Council is already on a prepaid system, but somehow racked up a negative N$12 million balance, which could get their power cut instantly. He explained that many municipalities are losing money by buying electricity at higher rates than they charge residents, and this business model basically guarantees debt.
The regulator warned that Mariental is next to get switched to prepayment meters that automatically shut off when accounts run dry.
