Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC): Powering Zambia and Beyond

The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) is a Zambian electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply company with operations in Zambia and Nigeria.

CEC's Operations in Zambia

In Zambia, CEC owns and operates an electricity transmission network in the Copperbelt area.

  • 246 km of 220kV power lines
  • 678 km of 66kV lines

CEC purchases electricity from ZESCO, the national power utility, and sells this across its transmission network to 8 Zambian mining customers with a combined demand of 520MW. For decades, CEC has supported the growth of Zambia’s mining industry. CEC’s unrivaled track record and experience give the necessary comfort to both new and existing mining operations. CEC's longevity is a testament to their ability to deliver the reliability and power solutions needed to ensure that our existing mining customers continue to sustain their operations, grow and expand.

CEC owns the Zambian portion of the Zambia - DRC 220kV interconnector line which has a capacity of 250MW and supplies electricity to mining customers in the Katanga Province.

About Copperbelt Energy Corporation

CEC's Role in the Zambian Power Sector

CEC operates and maintains a robust network of transmission, distribution, and power generation assets, from which it handles up to 50% of national peak demand and 50% of national energy consumption. Efficiency and quality of supply is highly prized at CEC, without compromise. A state-of-the-art control centre ensures that the power system is centrally controlled. CEC’s extensive network and multiple power sourcing ensures high operational reliability to avoid failure of supply. We deeply understand our customers’ power needs and make no room for laxity or chance.

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International Ventures

In Nigeria, CEC owned 45% of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), an electric power distribution company. In Namibia, CEC has signed a joint development agreement with the state utility, NamPower, and Kudu Power Limited for development of 800MW-1,050MW combined cycle gas-to-power generation.

History of CEC

CEC traces its origin to a company that was called Northern Rhodesia Power Corporation established in 1952. In or around 1954, the company became the Rhodesia-Congo Border Power Corporation whose purpose was to supply reliable and secure electricity to the mines in Northern Rhodesia and the Congo by interconnecting separately run thermal power stations in the mining areas. In 1997, CEC was born out of the privatization of ZCCM - Power Division. The two investors subsequently sold off their 77 per cent stake in the company to a group of local entrepreneurs.

Key Statistics and Information

The following table summarizes key aspects of CEC's operations:

Aspect Details
Transmission Network (220kV) 246 km
Transmission Network (66kV) 678 km
Customers 8 Zambian mining customers
Combined Demand 520MW
Zambia - DRC Interconnector Capacity 250MW

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tags: #Zambia