Trafigura and Partners Launched Power Line Project
A new 200-kilometre transmission line now links Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Utilities
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Trafigura and a consortium of partners have launched a $300 million transmission line project to connect Zambia with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new infrastructure enables the import of up to 700 megawatts of electricity to industrial regions previously reliant on diesel.
Why it matters
The project addresses a critical energy deficit in Congolese mining centers that currently depend on costly and inefficient diesel generators. By moving surplus power across borders, the initiative aims to stabilize electricity supply for industrial operations in the Katanga region.
The 200-kilometre (124-mile) transmission line represents a $300 million capital investment. The project provides an initial capacity of 700 megawatts, with a design that allows for eventual expansion beyond 1,000 megawatts.
The players
Trafigura
This multinational commodity trading company is arranging the debt financing for the international power transmission project.
First Quantum Minerals
This global mining company operates the Sentinel mine in Zambia, where the transmission line's power substation is located.
Gridworks Development Partners LLP
This entity serves as one of the equity partners responsible for the development of the power infrastructure project.
The details
The transmission line connects a substation at the First Quantum Minerals Sentinel mine in Kalumbila to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trafigura is arranging the debt financing for the project, which involves equity contributions from the Strategic Investment Fund of the DRC, EnPower, and Gridworks Development Partners LLP.
Timeline
2025: Zambian regulators approved the construction of the cross-border transmission project.
Market Landscape
This project follows the regional integration patterns established by the Southern African Power Pool interconnection standards to harmonize energy grids. The initiative shifts market dynamics by reducing reliance on private diesel generation and increasing the influence of regional utility providers.
Industrial operations in the Katanga region will gain access to more stable and likely lower-cost power compared to current diesel-based energy sources. This transition may eventually lower operational overhead for mining companies and stabilize electricity availability for local businesses.
The takeaway
The project highlights a growing trend of private-public partnerships filling critical infrastructure gaps in emerging markets. Improving cross-border power capacity remains a vital strategy for industrial growth in regions lacking centralized, reliable utility grids.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the power sector by visiting our Utilities section.
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