COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc has registered a profit of about 18 percent profit due to increased power sales to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), earning over K270 million.

In its summary of unaudited results for six months ended June 30, 2016, the company has continued to influence the electricity market through its network on behalf of Zesco Limited on the Copperbelt, and to operate an interconnector with the DRC.

“The Zambian businesses on consolidated basis posted a profit of K275 million (US$25.9 million) compared to K225 million for the previous.
“Revenue at half year increased by 40 percent from K2.252 million to K3.776 million. This is mainly on account of increased power sales to the DRC mines. Net loss of K1.669 million compared to a net loss of K571 million the previous period,” the report reads.

The company attributes net loss mainly to an exchange loss of K1.140 million (US$107 million) arising from the devaluation of the naira on dollar borrowing and bad debt provision of K516 million (US$52 million).

On performance update, the report says the macroeconomic environment in Nigeria has continued to pose some challenges to the group’s operations as well as low commodity prices which had a negative impact on customers’ liquidity and ability to meet their financial obligations.
Other challenges relating to low commodity prices on the global market have led to some of the customers scaling back on their operations with the effect on the company’s power sales dropping by about 16 percent in Zambia.

The company expects higher demand to return mid to end of 2017 when most of the customers begin to draw power to implement their projects.
“Operationally on the Zambian end, the business continued to operate under the partial force majeure under the bulk supply agreement with our main power supplier and the respective power supply agreements with our mine customers.

“This entails that we can only access 70 percent of our power requirements from Zambian sources while the rest of our requirements have to be sourced outside of the country. It is expected that this regime will continue until year end,” it says.

Source: Daily Mail

The Copperbelt Energy Corporation has posted a profit of K275 million in the first six months of 2016, up from K225 million record for the previous period.

The increase in profits is mainly attributed to increased power sales to the DRC mines and increased sales at its telecoms unit.

Revenue at half year increased by 40% from K2.252 million to K3.776 million.

This is mainly on account of increased power sales to the DRC mines.

This is according to the company’s half year financial results released yesterday.

CEC however recorded a net loss of K1.669 million compared to a net loss of k571 million the previous period.

“Net loss is mainly attributed to an exchange loss of ZMW1.140 million arising from the devaluation of the Naira on USD borrowing and bad debt provision of K516 million,” it said.

In March 2016, the Company paid a total of K163 million in dividends.

“The macroeconomic environment in Nigeria continued to pose some challenges to the Group’s operations as well as low commodity prices which impact on our customers’ liquidity and ability to meet their financial obligations. The depreciating Naira resulted in increased foreign exchange risk, translating into a loss of K1.140 million,” it said.

“Operationally on the Zambian end, the business continued to operate under the partial force majeure under the Bulk Supply Agreement with our main power supplier and the respective Power Supply Agreements with our mine customers. This entails that we can only access 70% of our power requirements from Zambian sources while the rest of our requirements have to be sourced outside of the country.”

The company said it is expected that this regime will continue until year end.

“The challenges relating to low commodity prices on the global market have led to some of our customers scaling back on their operations with the effect.

Source: Lusaka Times

COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) has said the macro-economic environment in Nigeria and the depreciating Naira has increased foreign exchange risks resulting in the loss of K1.140 million.

This is according to CEC’s summary consolidated unaudited results for the period ended June 30, 2016 made available to the Times yesterday.

The company said the macro-economic environment in Nigeria continued posing some challenges to the group’s operations as well as commodity prices which impacted on its customers’ liquidity and ability to meet financial obligations.

“The depreciating Naira resulted in increased foreign exchange risks translating into a loss of K1.140 million,” it stated.

Operationally on the Zambian end, the statement said the business in the stated period continued to operate on partial force majeure under the bulk supply agreement with its main power supplier and power supply agreements with mine customers.

“This entails that we can only access 70 per cent of our power requirements from Zambian sources while the rest of our requirements had to be sourced outside the country.

The challenges relating to low commodity prices on the global market have led to some of its customers scaling back on their operations resulting in power sales dropping by 16 per cent.

The company expected high demand to return by mid to end of 2017 when the projects that a number of its customers have been implementing begin to use power.

Source: All Africa

Mutale Mukuka, Chief Financial Officer at Zambian electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply company Copperbelt Energy, talks to African Review about power tariffs, working in a highly politicalised business environment, and the role of regulations on investment opportunities.

– View and listen to the interview