Imelda Ambondo
The acting Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Frans Kapofi, is expected to make a decision on whether to lift or continue the moratorium on issuing of new renewable energy export licences.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy suspended the issuance of new independent power generation meant for export to improve domestic electricity supply in March.
Electricity Control Board (ECB) Chief Executive Officer Robert Kahimise told Namibia Business Review last week that they have written to the minister recommending the continuation of the moratorium.
The suspension was put in place because of limited transmission capacity in Namibia and on interconnectors to neighbouring countries.
Kahimise said the moratorium, which came into effect on 5 March, was set for 18 months while NamPower conducts studies and engages other national utilities to address the transmission constraints.
“The Electricity Control Board has reduced the licensed export capacity for renewable energy exporters to a combined total capacity of 112MW because of transmission limitations beyond Namibia’s borders,” said Kahimise.
Kahimise said this reduction has informed the Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy’s decision to impose a moratorium on issuing licenses for new intermittent renewable energy projects which ended on 4 September 2025.
“A subsequent recommendation to extend (the moratorium) was made to the minister due to the same constraints. The ECB awaits the minister’s decision to this effect,” Kahimise said.
According to Kahimise, while the general pause affects intermittent renewable energy export, exporters with battery storage may still be considered for licensing.
“Currently, licensed exporters working with reduced capacity are actively implementing their existing export projects,” he said.
He also said that licensed exporters, operating with reduced capacity, are actively implementing their existing export projects.
Earlier in the year, the ECB mentioned the limited capacity on the interconnectors connecting Namibia with Zambia and South Africa as the key reason for the moratorium.
In March, The Namibian reported that the ECB expected Namibia to meet local demand through the National Integrated Resource Plan .
Namibia also adopted the Modified Single Buyer (MSB) model that allows transmission connected customers in Namibia, such as mines and regional electricity distributors. This is to obtain up to 30% of their energy requirements from independent power producers (IPPs) licensed in Namibia. This reduces the reliance on NamPower and limits imports accordingly.
Kahimise said IPPs are licensed to generate and export 1 262.82 MW, of which 586 MW will be generated by a thermal plant.
Questions sent to the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Kapofi were not responded to.
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