Ongwediva
The Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) announced a 3.5 per cent electricity tariff increase with effect from July 1.
The Electricity Control Board (ECB), the regulatory body responsible for setting the price of electricity in Namibia, has approved the latest increase. In 2014 Nored raised its tariffs by a staggering 11.6 per cent.
Nored’s Public Relations Officer Herman Ngasia said the latest price hike still remains below that of NamPower, the national bulk supplier, which implemented an average increase of 9.53 per cent. Last year Nampower’s average increase was 13 per cent.
“Whereas N$100 would have bought you 61 units, the N$100 purchase will now only get you 57 units,” Ngasia said.
The electricity distributor has also separated business pre-paid tariffs from the domestic prepaid tariffs. In addition, the Nored introduced a ‘social tariff’ for pensioners to ensure that electricity is affordable to the elderly, who are often forced to choose between food and electricity.
He said northern consumers would be properly informed about the special tariffs for pensioners in due course.
According to Ngasia, Nored will continue to ensure affordable electricity to all its customers and to render effective services with high standards with the aim of constantly improving the quality of service delivered.