ZESCO and CEC commence negotiations for power supply & provision of transmission services

ZESCO Limited (ZESCO) and Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) have commenced negotiations to agree new arrangements for power supply and provision of transmission services between them.

The negotiations, which commenced during the week starting 17 January 2022, are expected to culminate into a new agreement to replace the bulk supply agreement which expired on 31 March 2020.

Speaking jointly on the development, the Managing Directors of the two utilities, Engineer Victor Benjamin Mapani and Mr. Owen Silavwe, said: “ZESCO and CEC have for many years enjoyed a symbiotic and synergistic relationship that came to an end in March 2020 and the time has come for the two companies to work together constructively to put in place a new agreement that should carry the business relationship between the two companies forward and effectively support the growth of the Zambian economy. We are committed to working together to find a win-win solution that is mutually acceptable and beneficial not only to the two companies but to the entire power sector and the country at large.”

The two companies are confident that the strong interconnection that exists between their power networks, coupled with the need to closely coordinate operationally will be the cornerstone of their efforts to foster a cordial, transparent and commercially sound business relationship.

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About CEC
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) is a licensed power generation, transmission, distribution and supply company whose core business is the supply of power to the copper mines based in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in conjunction with that country’s state utility, SNEL. CEC wheels power through its network on behalf of ZESCO Ltd in the Copperbelt, owns and operates a transmission interconnection with the DRC, over 1,000 kilometres of high voltage transmission lines and 43 substations across the Copperbelt.

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-InnoVent and InnoVent-CEC are purposed for the development of solar PV sites. PDSL is a special purpose vehicle which runs Power Dynamos Football Club.

CEC is listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange and is a member of the Southern African Power Pool.

About ZESCO Limited
ZESCO Limited is a vertically integrated electricity utility, which generates, transmits, distributes, and supplies electricity which was formed in 1970 after the Zambia Electricity Supply Act was passed in Parliament. It is a public utility, with the government of Zambia through IDC as the sole shareholder. The utility is committed to providing safe and reliable electricity to improve the quality of life for all. Its value system is given in the Mission, Vision and Value statement. The Mission: Making it easy for people to live a better life and the vision; To be the hub for electricity trading in the region by 2025.

The total national installed generation capacity currently stands at around 3,644 MW against national average demand of around 2,410 MW. ZESCO’s own generation capacity stands at 2,657 MW (including ZESCO owned IPPs). Hydro power generation accounts for (99.9%) of ZESCO generation capacity and diesel generation stands at 10MW (0.1%). Further, ZESCO owns over 100,000 kms of transmission and distribution lines and has an installed transformer capacity of over 5,000MVA.