Trafigura has signed a framework agreement with three partners to develop a power transmission line linking Zambia with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Copperbelt mining region.
The Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project has an estimated construction cost of US$300 million ($431.67 million). The proposed 200km line would connect Kalumbila in Zambia with Kolwezi in the DRC.
The agreement, announced on 6 October, brings together Trafigura, the DRC’s Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC), Congolese power developer EnPower, and Gridworks Development Partners.
Gridworks intends to become the lead equity investor and majority shareholder, alongside FIS-RDC and EnPower. Trafigura has agreed to arrange a significant share of the project’s debt financing.
According to Trafigura, the line would have a thermal capacity of 700 megawatts, enabling imports of up to 550 megawatts into the DRC’s Copperbelt. Its design allows future expansion beyond 1 gigawatt.
The partners expect the connection to support mining and refining projects constrained by electricity shortages and create export opportunities for Zambian power producers.
Gridworks CEO Chris Flavin says the project would also provide electricity capacity beyond its mining customers.
“While the project is anchored by mining offtake, there is capacity on the line to serve the wider population too,” he says.
Gridworks describes the project as being in its final development stage. Neither announcement gives a construction start or commissioning date.
Gridworks develops African electricity networks and is owned by British International Investment, the UK Government’s development finance institution.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Gridworks Development Partners
