As part of our inaugural 2021 In Review, The Brief (TB) interviewed some of Namibia’s leading Chief Executive Officers to hear their thoughts about the year 2021 and what the future holds for their organisations and the sectors they operate in. We caught up with Electricity Control Board (ECB) Acting CEO, Pinehas Mutota (PM) to discuss the regulator’s year in review and the future. Below is an extract of the interview.
TB: As the year draws to a close, how would you sum up ECB’s year since your appointment?
PM: With the loss of our CEO Mee Foibe L Namene, it has been a tough and a very difficult year for the ECB Family, and indeed it will take time to heal, but as a team we remain committed to support each other as a family and that is exactly what we are doing.
TB: What have been the major milestones and achievements for the ECB and under your watch?
PM: The ECB has as usual submitted our Annual Report on time to the MME, and we are happy to report that it was an unqualified audited statement. We continue carrying out our regulatory functions such as tariff reviews, technical audits, monitoring licensee compliance, and the development of new regulatory tools such as the Energy Storage Rules and National Electrification Policy and Funding Portfolio. We are in the process of finalizing the Integrated Strategic Business Plan for the period 2021 – 26.
The ECB also achieved fourth place in Electricity Regulatory Index as surveyed by the African Development Bank, proving that the ECB is highly respected by its peers.
TB: From where you stand, what would you say are the major challenges faced by the ECB and the sector in general?
PM: The ECB operates in a dynamic and evolving industry and must therefore be able to continuously meet stakeholder expectations and provide a conducive regulatory framework, which is a task that requires the ECB to continuously analyze and respond to technological and other changes in the industry.
TB: What growth prospects lie ahead for the ECB and the sector, considering the emergence of green hydrogen?
PM: There is great potential. The ECB will be transformed into becoming an Energy Regulator, which will bring about more responsibilities to the ECB but most importantly a much more formalized approach to the operations of the energy sectors regulated by the new entity.
Green hydrogen is envisaged to bring in numerous socio-economic benefits (electricity generation by the local IPPs, support services by the local entities (job creations) skills development, most importantly the export of green hydrogen and other added products such as ammonia.
TB: What is your outlook for the ECB considering the proposed changes to its role and the sector going forward?
PM: I believe the ECB is well resourced to continue delivering on our mandate. As an electricity regulator, we are in a good position to transform into an energy regulator. The energy industry is an important sector for economic development and the ECB is geared to ensure that it delivers on its mandate.
TB: Finally, any parting words?
PM: We believe that 2022 will be a year filled with opportunities and that the electricity supply industry will continue to improve the lives of Namibians.
