Zambia needs faster private investment in its power sector to meet its copper production targets, a senior energy executive said at a mining conference, warning that weak electricity supply could slow economic growth, Solarquarter reported.
Speaking at the Zambia Country Showcase during the Investing in African Mining Indaba, Owen Silavwe, Managing Director of Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC), said Zambia’s plan to raise copper output to three million metric tonnes annually by 2031 relies on a strong and reliable power system.
Silavwe noted that the country would need nearly $12 billion in investment to add roughly 10 gigawatts of new power generation by 2030. Without a significant boost in electricity supply, he said, it would be difficult for both the mining sector and the wider economy to grow as planned.
He highlighted recent government measures aimed at attracting investors, including opening up access to the electricity network so more producers can use existing transmission lines. Silavwe said this move sends a positive signal to global investors and positions Zambia among the more forward-looking countries in the region regarding power sector reforms.
As a key electricity supplier to mines, CEC is working to ease supply pressures, he added. The company is developing more than 250 megawatts of renewable energy projects and investing in cross-border transmission links to improve regional power flows.
Silavwe also noted that CEC’s participation in the Southern African Power Pool supports electricity trading across countries and strengthens power security in Southern Africa.
Addressing recent power shortages, he said the challenges should be seen as a wake-up call rather than a setback, underlining the need to expand generation capacity and modernize infrastructure, prompting both public and private sectors to act faster.
He added that Zambia’s Integrated Resource Plan provides clear guidance for aligning energy development with the mining industry’s needs. CEC remains committed to supporting national targets by promoting innovation and attracting private funding, emphasizing that long-term power solutions are essential for Zambia’s copper-driven growth and overall economic progress.
