New ECB board announced
Deputy mines minister Kornelia Shilunga yesterday announced the Electricity Control Board's (ECB) new board.
Its tenure begins tomorrow, and will last four years. The board is chaired by Evangeline Nailenge, with Professor Tjama Tjivikua serving as her deputy. Other board members are Mburumba Appolus, Vincia Cloete and Helen Vosloo.
"I implore you to fulfill the mandate of the ECB, along with its executive management, by exercising control over the electricity supply industry with the primary responsibility of regulating electricity generation, transmission, distribution, provision, import, and export in Namibia, by setting tariffs and issuing licences," Shilunga said.
Electricity prices are determined by taking acquisition costs into consideration, she said, calling on the new board to enforce good governance. She emphasised that ethical behaviour is essential for earning the trust of the nation and building industries.
"We will only be trusted if we apply good governance."
Protest
The appointment coincided with a protest march to the ministry of urban and rural development, where Katutura residents called for access to electricity, among other demands.
Shilunga said universal access to electricity is a dream for Namibia that is being reached step by step through budgeting and policy.
"One day is one day, and I hope we will achieve it," she said.
Regarding independent power producers, she said there is a legal framework in place to encourage more investment, while the government is currently working on a framework for green hydrogen to establish this new industry locally as soon as possible.
Gas is currently not regulated, but with recent discoveries of oil along the southern coast, Shilunga said the government will develop gas regulations alongside oil regulations in the near future.
"There is a global energy crisis, and by opening up our market, we are seeking answers to the questions we face. We must also generate power for countries outside Namibia because we want to provide electricity for Namibia and the region. If South Africa has a problem, then we have a problem, and if Namibia has a problem, then Angola also has a problem," she stressed.
Namibia still imports up to 70% of its electricity demand, according to the deputy minister.
ECB head Robert Kahimise thanked the deputy minister and said "I am grateful for a complete board".
Its tenure begins tomorrow, and will last four years. The board is chaired by Evangeline Nailenge, with Professor Tjama Tjivikua serving as her deputy. Other board members are Mburumba Appolus, Vincia Cloete and Helen Vosloo.
"I implore you to fulfill the mandate of the ECB, along with its executive management, by exercising control over the electricity supply industry with the primary responsibility of regulating electricity generation, transmission, distribution, provision, import, and export in Namibia, by setting tariffs and issuing licences," Shilunga said.
Electricity prices are determined by taking acquisition costs into consideration, she said, calling on the new board to enforce good governance. She emphasised that ethical behaviour is essential for earning the trust of the nation and building industries.
"We will only be trusted if we apply good governance."
Protest
The appointment coincided with a protest march to the ministry of urban and rural development, where Katutura residents called for access to electricity, among other demands.
Shilunga said universal access to electricity is a dream for Namibia that is being reached step by step through budgeting and policy.
"One day is one day, and I hope we will achieve it," she said.
Regarding independent power producers, she said there is a legal framework in place to encourage more investment, while the government is currently working on a framework for green hydrogen to establish this new industry locally as soon as possible.
Gas is currently not regulated, but with recent discoveries of oil along the southern coast, Shilunga said the government will develop gas regulations alongside oil regulations in the near future.
"There is a global energy crisis, and by opening up our market, we are seeking answers to the questions we face. We must also generate power for countries outside Namibia because we want to provide electricity for Namibia and the region. If South Africa has a problem, then we have a problem, and if Namibia has a problem, then Angola also has a problem," she stressed.
Namibia still imports up to 70% of its electricity demand, according to the deputy minister.
ECB head Robert Kahimise thanked the deputy minister and said "I am grateful for a complete board".
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