Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board has approved the Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnection Project (KKIP), paving the way for a new 330 kV high-voltage transmission line linking Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The approval, granted on May 6, 2025, marks a major milestone in the development of the 190-kilometre project.
Led by Enterprise Power DRC (Enpower), a private electricity trading firm, the KKIP has been in development for several years.
While Zambia’s greenlight is a key step forward, the project is still awaiting approval from the DRC’s electricity regulator.
Comprehensive feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs, and environmental and social impact assessments have already been completed and validated by the relevant authorities in both countries.
Concession and implementation agreements have also been signed by the Zambian and Congolese Ministries of Energy.
The next critical phase is securing financing. In November 2024, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, was appointed as lead arranger.
Financial close is expected by mid-2025. The total project cost is estimated at $250 million.
The KKIP is expected to significantly boost power transmission capacity between the two countries, with a focus on supporting the mining-intensive regions of northwestern Zambia and Lualaba province in the DRC.
Energy demand in these areas is rising rapidly due to continued mining sector growth.
Enpower reports it has already signed a 350 MW power supply agreement with Zambia’s national utility, ZESCO, and obtained a permit to import electricity into the DRC, underscoring the project’s readiness for implementation once final approvals and funding are secured.
