CEC signs power supply deal with DRC’s Metalkol
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (“CEC”) has signed a long-term contract to supply up to 78MW of electricity to Metalkol SA (“Metalkol”), a major cobalt and copper tailings reprocessing operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The contract, agreed with Metalkol and DRC’s national electricity company Société National d’Electricité (“SNEL”), secures electricity supply to Meltakol for up to ten years in two phases.
The first phase to deliver a total of 62MW will run until quarter two of 2019; following which power supply will ramp up to 78MW per year during the second phase and for the remainder of the contract.
Managing Director, Owen Silavwe, has described the agreement as a demonstration of CEC’s commitment, agility and promise to meet the specific and unique requirements of customers in Zambia and the DRC market, and a reaffirmation of the Company’s growing partnership with SNEL and the mining community in the DRC.
He said, “Supplying secure and reliable power to mining houses is at the core of CEC’s business. With many years of experience successfully supplying reliable power to mining operations in both Zambia and the DRC, this agreement demonstrates our resourcefulness, commitment and ability to provide fit-for-purpose power solutions to our customers’ satisfaction. CEC has put together a robust portfolio of power sources, invested in transmission networks in Zambia, including the interconnection of DRC’s SNEL network to the regional interconnected power system, and is proactively finding solutions to customers’ changing needs. We are excited by the opportunity to extend our services to Metalkol and to provide an effective power solution that will contribute to the success of the Metalkol RTR project.”
Owned by Eurasian Resources Group (“ERG”), a leading diversified natural resources group, Metalkol is also a low-cost hydro-metallurgical facility.
Benedikt Sobotka, CEO of Eurasian Resources Group, commented: “This is an important milestone in the progress of the Metalkol project, a unique development for the global battery industry. It is an example of sustainable and environmentally conscious treatment of the local environment, and of our wider strategic ambitions in Africa. Together with our partners, who are vital companies in their respective countries, we have found an effective solution to guarantee a reliable electricity supply, which has previously been an issue in the region.”
Jean-Bosco Kayombo Kayan, SNEL Director General, said the trilateral agreement signed with CEC and Metalkol demonstrates SNEL’s willingness to serve its customers by offering its expertise in the Southern African energy market.
“SNEL has a mission to contribute to the economic development of the DRC by providing as much energy as possible to industrial producers operating in the country. With this aim in mind, SNEL has entered into an agreement with Metalkol in order to respond to its demand for energy in the most efficient way.”
ENDS
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (“CEC”), is a Zambian incorporated and publicly traded power transmission, generation and distribution company; accounting for around 50% of national power consumption. CEC is a major developer of energy infrastructure in Africa and a leading international power trader in Southern Africa.
The Company owns and operates over 1,000 kilometres of high voltage transmission lines and 42 substations covering all towns in Zambia’s mineral-rich region of the Copperbelt, and owns the Zambian portion of the electricity interconnector with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which enables transportation of power within the Southern African region.
For further information, contact:
Chama S. Nsabika
Senior Manager Corporate Communication
+260 212 244914
+260 966 792922
[email protected]
