CEC hosts representatives of civil society, policy analysis and research organizations
As part of its wide ranging and cross-cutting stakeholder engagements, the Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC) has hosted representatives of civil society, policy analysis and research organizations.
The diverse group of public interest bodies drew representation from eleven (11) Lusaka and Copperbelt based organizations and was hosted by CEC over two days. To enable them appreciate CEC’s role in electricity supply in Zambia and the region, and its contributions to the country’s economy, the participants were briefed on the Company’s history, core business, investments in energy infrastructure, growth plans, environmental stewardship, partnerships and social investment programmes.
The guests were taken to some key installations to enable them better appreciate CEC’s investments in power assets and the importance of these assets to national and regional electricity supply and interconnection of power systems.
Among the sites visited was the Luano substation located off the Chingola road where they appreciated the Company’s critical emergency supply plant and the solar power plant in Kitwe’s Riverside area which is currently being expanded to 34MW.
The Company’s Chief Projects Officer, Mr Vincent Nyirenda, commented:
“CEC places high value on partnerships and transparency in engaging with our stakeholders. Going beyond our statutory disclosure obligations, we have embraced a spirit of involving the many diverse voices that form the public and we have found the interactions we have had over these two days to be very enlightening for our continued stakeholder engagements and partnership building.”
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research Executive Director, Dr. Herrick Mphuku, said the trip enabled those invited to have a deeper understanding of the Company’s operations.
“It is a positive step for CEC to have invited the civil society and policy research institutions to engage with them on the operational aspects of the institution as well as the environmental and social considerations. An important takeaway from this trip is that continuous stakeholder engagement is essential for developing common understanding between corporations and stakeholders. The bridging of these communication gaps reduces conflict, builds corporate citizenship and enhances shareholder value. We applaud CEC for this initiative and urge them to continue in this spirit. Likewise, we implore other large companies with significant footprints in the community to emulate CEC.”
Activist and musician Mr. Fumba Chama, who is also the Executive Director of the People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia, remarked:
“The tour was demonstrative of the commitment by CEC management to transparency and their openness to public engagement. The tour was insightful. I now know what CEC is doing in terms of environmental care and what their role is in the economic growth of the country.”
The participating organisations included Chapter One Foundation, the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research, Transparency International Zambia, the Centre for Trade and Policy Development (CTPD) and Activists for Justice.
Alliance for Community Action, Policy Monitoring and Research Centre, Zambia Land Alliance and the People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance also sent representatives. Others were Caritas Zambia and the Public Policy Institute of Zambia.
ENDS
About CEC
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC) is a Zambian incorporated power generation, transmission, distribution and supply company. The privately-owned power utility is a major supplier of power to the mining industry in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is a member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and a pioneering international power trader in Southern Africa. CEC is publicly traded on the Lusaka Securities Exchange with more than 5,000 institutional and retail investors.
CEC has five incorporated subsidiaries – CEC-Kabompo Hydro Power Limited (CEC-KHPL), CEC DRC Sarl, CEC-InnoVent South, InnoVent-CEC North and Power Dynamos Sports Limited (PDSL). CEC-KHPL is the special purpose vehicle through which CEC is developing the Kabompo Gorge hydroelectric power project in Mwinilunga District of the North-Western Province of Zambia, while CEC-DRC Sarl is a special purpose vehicle incorporated to secure the power trading segment and grow the Company’s interest in the DRC market. CEC is pursuing the development of two solar PV projects in Kitwe through CEC-InnoVent South and InnoVent-CEC North. PDSL is a special purpose vehicle which runs Power Dynamos Football Club.
For further information, contact:
Chama S. Nsabika
Senior Manager Corporate Communication
+260 212 244914 (Office)
+260 966 792922 (Mobile)
[email protected]
