Copperbelt Energy Corporation refutes further power restriction allegations by Konkola Copper Mines
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) categorically refutes claims by Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) that CEC has effected further power restrictions to their operations.
KCM has been receiving in the order of 90% of their power requirements since Saturday, 20th September 2014 when CEC restricted part of their supply on account of their failure to pay for electricity consumed since April 2014. The restriction was done in accordance with provisions of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of 2000 and pursuant to a Restriction Notice issued to KCM in April 2014, and following the ruling of the High Court on 16th September 2014, setting aside the Injunction it had earlier granted to KCM, ex parte, restraining CEC from restricting, suspending, disconnecting or otherwise interrupting supplies of electricity.
The current restriction of KCM’s power requirements was agreed upon with KCM per PSA provisions and no further reduction has been effected since.
Rather, it seems KCM had attempted to bypass the power restriction to the Concentrator that CEC had effected on 20th September, leading to a load ramp up which caused trip outs on the system.
On Tuesday, 23rd and Wednesday, 24th September 2014 at 23:48 hours and 01:53 hours respectively, CEC’s Incomer Transformers No.s 1A, 3A and 7A, which supply part of KCM’s Nchanga Mine, tripped out on an overload condition due to KCM’s ramping up of load on the previously restricted transformer capacity.
This tripping, caused by excessive load uptake, resulted in interruption of power supply to the 11kV Front Bus Bars for 65 and 20 minutes respectively.
Prior to the incident in question, KCM had been warned about their excessive power uptake as this could lead to tripping, as it indeed did.
CEC deplores KCM’s continued attempts to vilify CEC in the public eye and play the victim while they persistently default on their payment obligations and renege on efforts to find a lasting settlement to our current challenges. While CEC continues to supply KCM, currently providing about 90% of all of KCM power requirements, KCM continues to refuse to settle invoices; in breach of our PSA and the Order of the High Court that dictates that the Parties continue to meet their PSA obligations.
For further information, contact:
Chama Nsabika-Kalima
Corporate Communication
+260 212 244914/211 261298
+260 966 792922
[email protected]
