ELECIRICITY
This is the second most important indigenous energy source in
the country, others being wood and charcoal used mainly for
domestic purposes. The mining sector is by far and large the
largest consumer of electricity, accounting for 70 per cent
of the total consumption, followed by industry and commerce
with 10 percent, household with 8 percent and agriculture with
3 percent. The main distributor of electricity is the Zambia
Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO). The Copperbelt Energy
Corporation (CEC) is a relatively new investor in the Zambian
energy sector and plays a critical role in the mining industry.
The
Zambian power system is interconnected at a high voltage with
Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo and at a lower
voltage to the north of Botswana and Namibia. These countries
form the large export market.
There
are currently two projects that have been conceived to increase
the potential export of electricity to neighbouring countries.
These are the Zambia-Tanzania and Zambia-Namibia interconnections.
Preliminary feasibility studies have already been done.
PETROLEUM
This is currently the only wholly imported energy source in
Zambia. Three major companies are involved in the procurement,
pumping and refining of crude oil in Zambia. These are Indeni
Refinery in Ndola, Zambia National Oil Company and TAZAMA.
|
