Electricity consumers across the Erongo Region are being hit with higher power costs, with Erongo RED’s new 3.4% weighted tariff increase now in effect.
The increase, approved by the Electricity Control Board (ECB) for the 2026/27 financial year, took effect from 1 September, with the new prepaid tariffs kicking in on 5 September. Households, pensioners and businesses forced to dig deeper as new electricity prices kick in. For thousands of households already battling rising living costs, the increase means one thing: the same N$100 will now buy less electricity. Under the new domestic prepaid structure, customers on a single-phase supply of up to 20 amps under the lifeline tariff will pay N$1.60 per kWh for their first 100 kWh.
The rate rises to N$1.89 per kWh for consumption between 100 and 400 kWh, while usage above 400 kWh costs N$2.80 per kWh. Consumers with supplies above 20 amps will pay N$2.87 per kWh across all consumption blocks. Pensioners have also been affected. Those on single-phase supplies of up to 40 amps will pay N$1.57 per kWh for their first 100 kWh, N$1.89 between 100 and 400 kWh and N$2.87 above 400 kWh. The electricity bill does not stop at the basic tariff. Consumers must also account for an ECB levy of N$0.0212 per kWh, an NEF levy of N$0.0160 per kWh and a Local Authority surcharge of N$0.1100 per kWh. Businesses are facing an even steeper charge. Single-phase businesses of up to 30 amps will pay N$3.26 per kWh, while those above 30 amps will pay N$3.98 per kWh. Institutions using single-phase supplies of up to 60 amps will pay N$3.90 per kWh.
The increase follows the ECB’s approval of a 3.7% increase in NamPower’s average bulk electricity tariff for 2026/27. NamPower had initially requested an 8.4% increase, but the ECB moderated the amount ultimately approved. The bulk tariff is a major cost incurred by electricity distributors such as Erongo RED before power reaches consumers.
Erongo RED has urged customers to review the new tariffs and manage their electricity consumption carefully. The distributor said the inclining-block system operates per calendar month, with consumption thresholds not carried over into the following month. A detailed tariff schedule covering conventional electricity and other customer categories is expected to be communicated by Erongo RED.
By Rudi Bowe
