CEC Calls for Faster Energy Sector Expansion to Support Zambia’s Mining Growth
Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) Managing Director Owen Silavwe has called for accelerated private-sector investment in Zambia’s power sector, warning that expanded energy infrastructure is critical to achieving the country’s ambition of producing three million metric tonnes of copper annually by 2031.
Speaking at the Zambia Country Showcase during the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Silavwe praised the Zambian Government’s reform agenda, noting that recent policy measures in the mining and energy sectors have significantly improved the country’s investment environment.
He said Zambia continues to stand out in the region due to market liberalisation and the introduction of open access in the electricity sector, reinforcing its pro-business credentials.
Silavwe stressed that meeting the mining sector’s growth targets will require a major expansion of power generation and transmission infrastructure.
“To support the mining industry’s goal of producing three million tonnes of copper a year by 2031, Zambia must fast-track energy development,” he said. “This will require close to US$12 billion in investment and the addition of approximately 10 gigawatts of new generation capacity by 2030.”
He emphasised that the success of the mining industry, and Zambia’s wider economic transformation, hinges on the availability of a reliable, scalable and diversified power supply.
Highlighting CEC’s contribution, Silavwe described the company as a long-standing private-sector partner to the mining industry. CEC is currently developing more than 250 megawatts of renewable energy capacity while strengthening cross-border transmission infrastructure to improve regional power security. Through its active participation in the Southern African Power Pool, the company continues to facilitate regional electricity trading and enhance supply resilience.
Reflecting on recent power supply constraints, Silavwe said the challenges had sharpened awareness among both public and private stakeholders.
“Recent supply gaps have served as a wake-up call,” he noted. “They are not only a challenge but also an opportunity to rethink and accelerate Zambia’s energy future.”
Silavwe further pointed to Zambia’s Integrated Resource Plan as a key policy framework for aligning energy sector expansion with the mining industry’s growth trajectory.
He reaffirmed CEC’s commitment to supporting national development goals through strategic partnerships, innovation and the mobilisation of private capital to deliver sustainable, long-term energy solutions.
