By Jane Chanda
Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) chief executive officer Mutale Mukuka says the company has supplied 37 percent of its Copperbelt mining companies through power imports.
In a statement yesterday, Mukuka warned that Zambia’s energy sector was at a crossroads, requiring urgent investment in transmission infrastructure to prevent grid constraints from crippling the economy.
He stated that while CEC had made significant strides in mitigating Zambia’s energy deficit through power imports and investments in renewable energy, the company’s efforts would be undermined if the transmission infrastructure was not upgraded.
He noted that CEC had supplied approximately 37 percent of its Copperbelt mining customers through power imports in 2024, but warned that the company’s ability to deliver reliable electricity would be severely impacted if the transmission infrastructure was not strengthened.
The CEO commended the government’s rapid legislative reforms in the electricity sector, stating that they promoted greater private sector participation and laid the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable energy industry.
Mukuka cautioned that the government’s efforts would be in vain if the transmission infrastructure was not upgraded.
“These investments extend beyond Zambia’s transmission backbone, including enhancements to interconnectors linking Zambia with the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he stated.
He emphasised the importance of regional power transmission connectivity, stating, “further investments in transmission infrastructure are essential to prevent grid constraints from becoming bottlenecks in delivering reliable electricity.”
Mukuka further highlighted CEC’s investments in renewable energy, including the commissioning of a 60-megawatt solar plant in 2024, which had helped mitigate the energy deficit and strengthen Zambia’s energy security.
You can subscribe to read all our past and latest ePapers plus all premium content at only K22 weekly and K65 monthly on this link 
https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
