Electricity - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa Lead Charge in Africa’s Electricity Market Reforms 1

Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa are accelerating power sector reforms, transitioning from state-controlled utility models to open access electricity markets. These changes aim to improve reliability, attract private investment, and reduce energy costs across a region long burdened by power deficits. In Kenya, the Energy Act of 2019 and the newly published Electricity Market, Bulk Supply and Open Access Regulations 2024 allow independent power producers (IPPs) to sell directly to large consumers or private vendors through a wheeling process. Consumers using at least 1 MVA can bypass the state utility,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy

ZESCO and CEC Partner to Accelerate Solar Energy Expansion Across Zambia

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 Constance

ZESCO Limited and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the rollout of solar power generation across Zambia. The collaboration includes the creation of a joint planning team designed to streamline the development of solar projects, optimize resource use, and eliminate project duplication. The announcement was made during an appreciation tour of CEC’s solar facilities in Kitwe. ZESCO Chairman Vickson Ncube highlighted the importance of a coordinated national approach. “We are forming a joint planning team between ZESCO and CEC management to plan the national… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zambia Saves 56MW with EU-Backed Energy Efficiency Programme

June 8, 2025June 8, 2025 Constance

Zambia has successfully conserved 56 megawatts (MW) of electricity—the equivalent output of a large power plant—through the European Union-funded Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation (ZEEST) programme, all without building new power generation infrastructure. During a recent tour of Ndola Teaching Hospital, Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Mr. Arnold Simwaba, described ZEEST as a transformative initiative that aligns with the country’s energy efficiency and climate resilience goals. “Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, ZEEST has shown that we can achieve the same impact as building a new power… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity

Japan Grants $27 Million to Boost Electricity Access in Kinshasa’s Mont-Amba District

May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 Constance

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has awarded $27 million in non-repayable funding to the Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) national power utility. The agreement was signed on May 9, 2025, by DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and the Japanese Ambassador to the DRC, Ogawa Hidetoshi. The funding is designated to enhance electricity access in the Mont-Amba district of Kinshasa, which includes the municipalities of Limete, Lemba, Matete, Ngaba, and Kisenso. The project includes the rehabilitation of the 220-kV Liminga and Funa… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity Mining in DRC

Zambia Approves Cross-Border Power Line to DRC Amid Growing Mining Demand

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Constance

Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board has approved the Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnection Project (KKIP), paving the way for a new 330 kV high-voltage transmission line linking Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The approval, granted on May 6, 2025, marks a major milestone in the development of the 190-kilometre project. Led by Enterprise Power DRC (Enpower), a private electricity trading firm, the KKIP has been in development for several years. While Zambia’s greenlight is a key step forward, the project is still awaiting approval from the DRC’s electricity regulator. Comprehensive feasibility… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

ZESCO Accelerates Solar Expansion with 500 MW Boost to the National Grid

April 28, 2025April 28, 2025 Constance

ZESCO has announced plans to add approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of solar-generated electricity to Zambia’s national grid to help address the country’s energy deficit. Of this target, 134 MW are expected to come online within the next three months. ZESCO Managing Director Justin Longo explained that the move is necessary to mitigate the impact of reduced hydroelectric generation caused by drought conditions. Mr. Longo outlined several key projects: Chisamba will contribute 100 MW, Mansa 25 MW, Kasupe 7.5 MW, and Shangombo 2 MW. In addition, the micro-generator scheme and the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

Zambia and Tanzania Launch Cross-Border Power Project to Boost Regional Energy Integration

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 Constance

Zambia and Tanzania have officially launched the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP), a landmark cross-border energy initiative aimed at enhancing regional electricity trade, energy security, and industrial growth. The launch ceremony was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka. ZTIP forms part of the broader Zambia–Tanzania–Kenya (ZTK) power interconnection project. Once completed, it will link the national electricity grids of Zambia and Tanzania, enabling the two-way flow of electricity between the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP). Speaking on behalf of Zambia’s Minister… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Electricity

ZESCO Confident in Power Supply Stability as Local Generation Improves

April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 Constance

The Senior Manager of ZESCO’s Lusaka Control Centre, Boniface Syasipa, has welcomed recent improvements in local power generation, describing them as crucial to delivering a more reliable electricity supply to households and businesses across Zambia. Speaking to ZESCO’s in-house media on April 16, Syasipa emphasized that the state-owned utility—responsible for generating about 80% of the country’s electricity—had become more predictable thanks to increased local production. He cited last year’s drought as a key factor that had forced the country to rely more heavily on electricity imports, contributing to supply disruptions.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity

DRC Power Output Grows but Energy Challenges Persist

April 5, 2025April 5, 2025 Constance

Between 2023 and 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) saw a 3.04% increase in power output, rising by 303.1 gigawatt-hours (GWh). This boost was primarily driven by hydropower plants, including the Inga I and II plants, according to the country’s power utility, the ARE. Over the period from 2020 to 2024, the DRC’s power output grew by 9.8%. However, despite this progress, the DRC’s total electricity output remains low, reaching just 13.6 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024. To put this into perspective, it is equivalent to roughly 11 days of… Read More Here

Electricity International

Tanzania Seeks to Import 100MW of Ethiopian Power via Kenya

March 14, 2025March 14, 2025 Constance

Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has confirmed receiving an application from Tanzania to import 100 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia using Kenya’s transmission network. EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo stated that the request involves a collaboration between Ethiopia Electric Power, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), and Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO). He added that the application is under review, with a final decision expected by the end of March after evaluating its technical and economic feasibility. “We are currently assessing both the technical and economic aspects. The… Read More Here