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Category: Electricity

Kariba Dam Repairs Near Completion, Promising Relief for Energy Shortages in Zambia and Zimbabwe 1 Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy 

Kariba Dam Repairs Near Completion, Promising Relief for Energy Shortages in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Constance
Engineers at the Kariba Dam have successfully completed repairs to the structure’s plunge pool and have begun refilling it with water. Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote announced that repairs to the dam are now 75% complete, a significant development for Zambia’s energy sector. During a visit to the dam on Wednesday, the minister stated that the plunge pool repairs represent a crucial step in addressing the energy shortages affecting both Zambia and Zimbabwe in recent months. The dam, jointly operated by the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, generates 2,010 MW… Read More Here
Zambia Imports Power from South Africa to Alleviate Energy Deficit 2 Mining in Zambia Electricity 

Zambia Imports Power from South Africa to Alleviate Energy Deficit

Constance
Zambia has begun importing 218 megawatts of electricity from South Africa’s Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) during off-peak hours to address the country’s power shortage. Matongo Maumbi, a spokesperson for Zambia’s state-owned power utility Zesco, announced on state television that the imports started on August 1 to help mitigate the power deficit. Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is also importing electricity from Mozambique to meet its energy demands. “The imports have allowed Zesco to stabilize the power supply, enabling us to provide electricity to critical installations such as hospitals, mines, and… Read More Here
Zambia Addresses Energy Crisis Amidst El Niño and Climate Change 3 Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy 

Zambia Addresses Energy Crisis Amidst El Niño and Climate Change

Constance
Minister of Energy, Hon. Makozo Chikote, addressed the nation regarding the severe electricity shortage caused by El Niño and climate change. He emphasized the government’s efforts to mitigate the crisis and commended Zambians for their patience and resilience. The country’s installed national power generation capacity stands at 3,777 MW, with a current peak demand of 2,400 MW. However, as of July 2024, only 1,255 MW is available, resulting in a deficit of 1,145 MW. To bridge this gap, Zambia is importing 1,664 MW of power. Key measures implemented by the… Read More Here
Zambia's Maamba Collieries Rebrands to Maamba Energy, Doubles Power Capacity 4 Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy 

Zambia’s Maamba Collieries Rebrands to Maamba Energy, Doubles Power Capacity

Constance
Maamba Collieries Ltd, Zambia’s leading independent private power producer, has rebranded to Maamba Energy Ltd to better reflect its core focus on energy production. This rebranding aligns with the company’s ambitious plan to double its electricity generation capacity from 300 MW to 600 MW, aiming to address Zambia’s critical power deficit. “Energy is our primary business, and the new name Maamba Energy better reflects that,” said Chief Executive Officer Lt Col Cyrus Minwalla (Retd). “Coal sales have been merely an adjunct to our core power business. As the new name… Read More Here
IEA Forecasts 35% Increase in Global Electricity Supply by 2025 5 International Electricity 

IEA Forecasts 35% Increase in Global Electricity Supply by 2025

Constance
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a 35% increase in global electricity supply by 2025, up from 30% in 2023, according to its latest report published this month. The report indicates a gradual decrease in dependence on coal, which is expected to decline from 36% to 33% during the same period. Titled “Electricity Mid-Year Update,” the report highlights the significant role of solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power in this energy transformation. Their combined share in the global electricity mix is anticipated to rise from 13% in 2023 to 15%… Read More Here
DRC Faces Energy Deficit, Relies on Imports from Neighbors 6 Mining in DRC Electricity Mining in Zambia 

DRC Faces Energy Deficit, Relies on Imports from Neighbors

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) relies heavily on electricity imports to support its mining sector and overall economy. During a press briefing organized by the Ministry of Communication and Media on Thursday, Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Teddy Lwamba Muba, discussed the challenges and potential solutions to address this growing dependency. Dr. Teddy Lwamba Muba, an electromechanical engineer and former Deputy Director General of the National Electricity Company (SNEL), highlighted the stagnation in the country’s electricity production since 1982. “The history of electricity production in the DRC effectively… Read More Here
DRC's Mining Sector Consumes 1,400 MW, Generating $35 Billion GDP 7 Mining in DRC Electricity 

DRC’s Mining Sector Consumes 1,400 MW, Generating $35 Billion GDP

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector consumes 1,400 MW of electricity, contributing $35 billion to the country’s GDP. This information was shared by Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity, Teddy Lwamba Muba, during a press briefing on July 18, 2024, alongside Communication and Media Minister Patrick Muyaya. Lwamba highlighted that mining is a significant economic driver, stating, “For every 1 MW produced, approximately $20 million is generated in GDP.” He emphasized the importance of prioritizing energy allocation to the industrial sector to boost production. Lwamba outlined the government’s strategic… Read More Here
Zambia Urges Mining Companies to Double Power-Saving Efforts Amid Severe Drought 8 Mining in Zambia Copper Economy Electricity 

Zambia Urges Mining Companies to Double Power-Saving Efforts Amid Severe Drought

Constance
Zambia has requested mining companies, operating in Africa’s second-largest copper producer, to double their power-saving measures to 40% of their normal demand due to the worst drought in decades impacting hydroelectric power generation. Zesco Ltd., the state-owned power utility, has asked operators to either increase their power curtailments or source emergency power independently starting this month. First Quantum Minerals Ltd., which is responsible for over half of Zambia’s copper output, confirmed this request. Zesco did not respond to a request for comment. First Quantum has managed to cover more than… Read More Here
Maamba Collieries Limited Announces New 300 MW Power Plant Project 9 Mining in Zambia Electricity Hydro power plant 

Maamba Collieries Limited Announces New 300 MW Power Plant Project

Constance
The Board of ZCCM Investments Holding Plc (ZCCM-IH) has announced that Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) has successfully reached an agreement with its anchor lenders to secure financing for the construction and installation of an additional 300 MW power plant, known as the Phase II Project. MCL has solidified its commitment to this project by signing a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ZESCO Limited, Zambia’s national electricity utility company. This agreement will ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the Phase II Project. Maamba Collieries Limited has a rich history,… Read More Here
Zambia Promotes Solar Energy Adoption to Mitigate Electricity Challenges for SMEs 10 Mining in Zambia Electricity Energy Green Energy 

Zambia Promotes Solar Energy Adoption to Mitigate Electricity Challenges for SMEs

Constance
To address the disruptions caused by electricity load shedding, the Zambian government is actively promoting the adoption of solar energy among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative aims to enable businesses to maintain operations smoothly even during power cuts. Hon. Elias Mubanga, MP, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, is leading this effort. He emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses through reliable and sustainable energy solutions like solar power. “We want to ensure small businesses can thrive, even in the face of power outages,” Mubanga stated. “Solar… Read More Here

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