Zambia approves $270 M power link to Congo
Kalumbila-Kolwezi is projected to boost cross-border energy trade and ease Zambia’s electricity shortfall driven by hydro supply issues.
Image for illustration purposes
Zambia / Congo: Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board has granted approval for a major cross-border energy project, a $270 M high-voltage transmission line that will connect Zambia’s resource-rich North-Western Province with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP) will span approximately 200 km (124 mi), creating a vital infrastructure link between the two neighboring nations. According to the regulator, this project marks a critical move toward expanding regional electricity trade and achieving Zambia’s long-term goal of attracting private sector investment in the energy sector.
Zambia’s mining industry, centered around copper, has been hit hard by a historic drought that severely reduced output from hydroelectric plants. In response, the government asked mining companies to cut energy usage. While some mines have sourced power from South Africa, the KKIP will provide a more stable, regional solution.
The line will connect to a substation on First Quantum Minerals Ltd.’s Sentinel Mine property in Kalumbila. Enterprise Power DRC, a private company specialising in cross-border electricity trading, is involved in the project’s implementation.
In addition to the transmission line, the Energy Regulation Board also approved permits for two solar and battery storage projects within Zambia, further signaling a shift toward diversified, resilient energy sources.
The KKIP project is expected to strengthen grid reliability, support economic growth, and serve as a model for cross-border energy cooperation in Southern Africa.
Source: mining.com
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