CEC COMPLETES $6.6M POWER PROJECT
...to inject 22 megawatts of power into the national grid
THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has completed the US$6.6 million power project which will inject 22 megawatts of power into the national grid.
This is a partnership with Dangote Cement Zambia Limited.
CEC Managing Director, Owen Silavwe, expressed his enthusiasm for the two parties to commence power trading once the project is commissioned post Covid-19.
Mr Silavwe explained in a statement that Covid-19 had forced a scale-down of works on the site to protect employees and contractors from possible infection.
“We are proud of this unique opportunity to be part of the project which, once completed, will be the first one of its kind, where CEC will be taking power directly from a diversified power plant. It is a pleasure to witness its construction progress,” he said.
Mr Silavwa indicated that a well-balanced combination of other sources such as renewables and hydro had the potential to give an optimum level of generation, capable of enabling the country to withstand the impact of drought.
Dangote Cement Zambia Limited Country Chief Executive Officer, Agostinho Henriques, said the power plant was designed to support the Company’s cement operation as a cost optimisation measure.
Mr Henriques said the project had added benefit to the Zambian economy through the injection of increased generation capacity to the national grid.
“Today, Zambia is suffering from a severe power generation capacity shortfall consequently enduring regular load shedding that is restraining the country’s economic potential. We as Dangote Cement Zambia, want to be part of the solution to Zambia’s economic future,” he said.
According to Mr Henriques, CEC being the main electricity distributor on the Copperbelt with extensive experience in the sector, came as a natural partner of choice.