By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Electricity Control Board (ECB) will host workshops to engage the public, including the private sector, regarding the plight of electricity costs being experienced at various green schemes, which hampers production and food security.
In an announcement last week by the electricity regulator, it stated that the workshop aims to bring together relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the high electricity tariffs charged to green schemes, noting that the high cost of electricity has a “significant impact on agricultural production costs and food security.”
The cost of electricity has been cited as the main reason for most of the low or no production at various green schemes meant to produce agricultural products for consumption, agro-processing, and storage. Small-scale farmers have also shared that the high cost of electricity has been a hindering block for them to scale up their production.
According to the ECB, the workshops will explore innovative energy management practices and cost-reduction strategies to promote the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The first workshop will be taking place today and tomorrow in Windhoek, while the other will be hosted in the Kavango East Region on the 10th of November 2025.
The Kavango East also hosts some of the green schemes, however still faces high food insecurity and poverty levels.
The country’s energy insecurity was also highlighted at last week’s Public-Private Forum, where the private sector indicated that the envisioned industrialisation and job creation agenda cannot be achieved without an affordable and sustainable energy supply.
The latest reports on domestic electricity generation for July and August show that the country produced less than 40% of its energy needs, relying on imports to cover the rest. erastus@thevillager.com
