CEC embarks on K78bn project with DRC firm

CEC embarks on K78bn project with DRC firm
Written by Nchima Nchito Jr
Monday, April 13, 2009 3:58:06 AM

COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) is embarking on a US $14 million (about K78 billion) joint venture project with Snel, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s national power utility company.

According to mining weekly, CEC is this year expected to commence the construction of a double-circuit 220-kv inter-connector between Zambia and DRC.

The inter-connector will stretch from Chingola in Zambia, to Karavia near the southern DRC city of Lubumbashi. The project is expected to increase the capacity of the existing inter-connector between the two countries from 260 megawatts to 500 megawatts.

The two countries are also expected to upgrade their current 220-kV regional interconnection to significantly raise the amount of electricity that can be transmitted from the DRC to other Southern African countries.

On the DRC side, Snel and the World Bank are the financiers of the project, while CEC is moving to secure debt financing from a commercial bank to fund the Zambian aspects of the project.

CEC supplies power to Konkola Copper Mines, Zambia’s largest copper producer, Mopani Copper Mines and the recently-closed Luanshya Copper Mines. The other mining houses it supplies power to are Chambishi Copper Mines, Chibuluma Copper Mines and the NFC Africa Mining.