Renewable Energy Push Key To Zambia’s $12 Billion Power Plan For Copper Growth

At the Zambia Country Showcase during the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Owen Silavwe, Managing Director of Copperbelt Energy Corporation PLC (CEC), called for faster private-sector investment in Zambia’s power industry. He said the country’s ambition to reach three million metric tonnes of annual copper production by 2031 will depend heavily on the strength and reliability of its energy sector.

Silavwe explained that Zambia will need nearly US$12 billion in investment to add 10 gigawatts of new power generation capacity by 2030. According to him, the expansion of the mining sector and the country’s wider economic growth are closely linked to the availability of a reliable, scalable, and diversified power supply. Without significant growth in generation capacity, the mining targets will be difficult to achieve.

He noted that the government has taken important steps to make the power sector more attractive to investors. In particular, he highlighted the implementation of open access in the electricity market. This reform allows multiple players to use transmission infrastructure, sending a strong pro-business signal to global investors. Silavwe said these policy changes position Zambia as a regional leader in progressive energy reforms.

As a key supplier of electricity to the mining industry, CEC is already working to reduce the energy gap. The company is developing more than 250 megawatts of renewable energy projects. It is also investing in cross-border transmission infrastructure to strengthen regional connectivity. Through its participation in the Southern African Power Pool, CEC supports regional electricity trading, which improves power security across Southern Africa.

Silavwe addressed recent energy supply challenges in the country and described them not as failures but as a “catalyst” for change. He said these constraints have pushed both public and private stakeholders to recognize the urgency of expanding generation capacity and modernizing infrastructure. In his view, the current situation presents an opportunity to rethink and reshape Zambia’s energy future.

He pointed out that the Integrated Resource Plan provides a roadmap to align energy development with the needs of the mining sector. Silavwe reaffirmed CEC’s commitment to supporting national goals by promoting innovation and mobilizing private capital. He stressed that sustainable and long-term energy solutions will be essential to power Zambia’s copper-driven growth and broader economic transformation in the coming years.