{"version":"1","article":{"id":"dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","slug":"dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=en","title":"DR Congo partners agree framework for Zambia–Kolwezi power interconnector","summary":"FIS-RDC, EnPower, Trafigura and Gridworks signed a framework for a 200-kilometre line designed to bring up to 550 MW to Kolwezi.","category":"energy","region":"world","topics":[],"published_at":"2026-10-07T00:31:15+03:00","modified_at":"2026-10-07T00:31:15+03:00","publication_basis":"publication-record","event_period":"2026-10-06","event_period_basis":"event-or-reference-period","sources":[{"name":"Trafigura","url":"https://www.trafigura.com/news-and-insights/press-releases/2026/fis-rdc-enpower-trafigura-and-gridworks-join-forces-to-deliver-landmark-power-interconnector-to-supply-the-drc-s-copperbelt/","checkedAt":"2026-10-06","publishedAt":"2026-10-06"}],"translations":[{"language":"tr","url":"https://haberpaper.com/tr/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=tr"},{"language":"en","url":"https://haberpaper.com/en/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=en"},{"language":"ar","url":"https://haberpaper.com/ar/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=ar"},{"language":"fr","url":"https://haberpaper.com/fr/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=fr"},{"language":"es","url":"https://haberpaper.com/es/news/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026","api_url":"https://haberpaper.com/api/v1/articles/dr-congo-kalumbila-kolwezi-interconnector-2026?lang=es"}],"data_types":[],"data":null,"data_compilations":[],"data_downloads":[],"content":{"paragraphs":["The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC), EnPower, Trafigura and Gridworks signed a strategic framework agreement on October 6 to develop a 200-kilometre high-voltage line linking Kalumbila in Zambia with Kolwezi in the DRC. Trafigura’s announcement says the Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP) is intended to strengthen regional electricity trading through the Southern African Power Pool. Construction is estimated to cost US$300 million. The parties said the necessary concessions, licences and authorisations had been secured and the project had reached the final stage of development. That does not mean the line has been built or that power is already flowing.","The line is designed for a thermal capacity of 700 MW and could enable imports of up to 550 MW into the DRC’s mining region. The announcement says the design allows a possible future increase to more than 1 GW. FIS-RDC, EnPower and Gridworks stated their intention to invest equity, with Gridworks as lead equity investor and majority shareholder. Trafigura agreed to arrange a significant share of the debt financing. The parties are also discussing possible investment by Zambian entities. The financing framework is therefore described, but the release does not say all financing has closed. The project is intended to help address a structural power deficit exceeding 1 GW in the DRC Copperbelt and support mining and refining developments held back by electricity shortages. Those are expected benefits, not results already delivered."],"key_points":[],"sections":[]},"text":"FIS-RDC, EnPower, Trafigura and Gridworks signed a framework for a 200-kilometre line designed to bring up to 550 MW to Kolwezi.\n\nThe Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC), EnPower, Trafigura and Gridworks signed a strategic framework agreement on October 6 to develop a 200-kilometre high-voltage line linking Kalumbila in Zambia with Kolwezi in the DRC. Trafigura’s announcement says the Kalumbila–Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP) is intended to strengthen regional electricity trading through the Southern African Power Pool. Construction is estimated to cost US$300 million. The parties said the necessary concessions, licences and authorisations had been secured and the project had reached the final stage of development. That does not mean the line has been built or that power is already flowing.\n\nThe line is designed for a thermal capacity of 700 MW and could enable imports of up to 550 MW into the DRC’s mining region. The announcement says the design allows a possible future increase to more than 1 GW. FIS-RDC, EnPower and Gridworks stated their intention to invest equity, with Gridworks as lead equity investor and majority shareholder. Trafigura agreed to arrange a significant share of the debt financing. The parties are also discussing possible investment by Zambian entities. The financing framework is therefore described, but the release does not say all financing has closed. The project is intended to help address a structural power deficit exceeding 1 GW in the DRC Copperbelt and support mining and refining developments held back by electricity shortages. Those are expected benefits, not results already delivered.","corrections":[],"editorial_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"energy","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/energy-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic energy landscape with solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines.","language":"en"},"section_illustration":{"kind":"symbolic-editorial-illustration","documentary":false,"scope":"section","asset_id":"energy","url":"https://haberpaper.com/assets/illustrations/energy-1536.webp","width":1536,"height":1024,"alt":"Symbolic energy landscape with solar panels, wind turbines and transmission lines.","language":"en"}}}