HENGFENGYOU ELECTRIC --SMART ELECTRIC GLOBAL SERVICE PROVIDER
Writer： Hengfeng you electric Time：2026-09-29 views：times
Zambia is an important copper-producing country in Africa, and the mining industry plays a significant role in the country's economy and industrial electricity consumption. Data released by the National Assembly of Zambia in 2026 shows that Zambia's copper production reached approximately 890,000 tonnes in 2025, up 7.8% from 826,000 tonnes in 2024, with production increasing at major mining companies.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's 2026 Zambia mining market information also indicates that, in addition to copper, Zambia has mineral resources including cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, and lithium. Related opportunities cover mineral development, mining equipment, engineering services, processing facilities, and supporting infrastructure.
As mining, crushing, grinding, conveying, dewatering, beneficiation, and ore processing facilities expand, mining areas are facing increasing demand for continuous and reliable power supply. In addition to large primary substations, mining sites also require numerous medium- and low-voltage distribution substations to supply power to concentrators, pumping stations, maintenance workshops, warehouses, and other facilities.
As a result, 1250kVA and other medium-capacity oil-immersed distribution transformers have a wide range of potential applications.
Zambia's power system is undergoing capacity expansion and modernization. ZESCO currently operates a distribution network covering voltage levels from 400V to 66kV, with a total length of approximately 56,000 km, including about 8,922 km of 33kV lines, 23,667 km of 11kV lines, and 19,713 km of 400V lines.
According to ZESCO's 2025 Integrated Report, the company is implementing multiple substation, transmission line, and distribution network upgrade projects, including new 33/11kV substations, 11kV and 33kV distribution lines, and transmission substation expansion projects.
At the same time, Zambia's power sector is increasing solar and other renewable energy generation to reduce its dependence on hydropower. According to 2026 U.S. Department of Commerce data, Zambia's installed generation capacity was approximately 3,985.86 MW as of mid-2025, with around 85% coming from hydropower. Mining remained the country's largest electricity-consuming sector.
Continued investment in generation, transmission, and distribution networks will further drive demand for transformers, RMUs, medium-voltage switchgear, and low-voltage distribution equipment.
Mining production lines typically include large numbers of electrical loads such as crushers, ball mills, conveyor systems, pumping stations, ventilation equipment, and auxiliary machinery. As new mining areas are developed and processing facilities are expanded, existing distribution capacity may need to be increased through the installation of additional substations or replacement of existing transformers with higher-capacity units.
A case published by ZESCO in 2025 showed that growing mining activities in areas including Mkushi, Mpongwe, and Kabwe in Central Province had increased local electricity demand. Some existing transformer capacity had become insufficient, leading ZESCO to deploy a 250MVA transformer to increase regional power supply capacity and redundancy.
In addition to large-scale regional grid expansion, mining sites still require substantial numbers of small- and medium-capacity distribution transformers. A 1250kVA transformer can therefore serve typical industrial distribution applications within mining areas.
Some transmission and distribution facilities in Zambia have been in operation for many years. As mining loads continue to increase, certain transformers, switchgear, and distribution lines require capacity upgrades, replacement, or additional standby capacity.
For mining companies, power interruptions can affect continuous production. Therefore, when replacing transformers, factors such as rated capacity, losses, temperature rise, insulation level, short-circuit withstand capability, operational reliability, and spare parts availability also need to be carefully considered.
Mining distribution projects typically involve more than the procurement of transformers alone. Medium-voltage incoming feeders, transformer protection, and low-voltage outgoing feeders need to be coordinated as an integrated system. Therefore, a Transformer + RMU + LV Switchboard packaged solution can provide practical value.
A typical system can be configured as:
11kV/33kV Incoming → RMU → 1250kVA Transformer → LV Switchboard → Mining Loads
With an integrated design, medium-voltage protection, transformer capacity, low-voltage main incoming protection, and outgoing feeder configuration can be coordinated as one system, reducing technical interface issues between different suppliers.
Mining equipment generally needs to withstand outdoor installation, dust, humidity, temperature variations, and long-distance transportation. For Zambian mining projects, 1250kVA oil-immersed transformers can be configured with either 11kV or 33kV high-voltage sides according to the specific grid conditions.
The above parameters represent typical project configurations. The actual HV voltage, tap range, impedance, losses, insulation level, and accessory configuration should be determined according to the specific mining area's grid parameters, load calculations, and project technical specifications.
For 11kV and 33kV systems, the two voltage levels should also be designed separately rather than simply applying the same set of technical parameters.
Mining equipment should also take the following factors into consideration:
1. Adaptability to Outdoor Conditions
The enclosure, radiators, bushings, and accessories need to withstand local temperature, humidity, dust, and rainy-season conditions.
2. Mechanical Strength and Transportation Conditions
Zambia is a landlocked country, and some mining areas are located far from major ports. When equipment is transported from overseas to mining sites in Zambia, mechanical shock and vibration during sea transportation, transshipment, and long-distance road transportation need to be considered.
3. Protection and Safety Configuration
Depending on project requirements, high-voltage surge arresters, grounding equipment, temperature monitoring, and other necessary protection accessories can be provided and coordinated with the medium-voltage RMU and low-voltage protection system.
Medium-voltage distribution systems in mining areas can use RMU ring main units according to the project grid structure to provide medium-voltage incoming, ring-main, and transformer feeder protection.
For a 1250kVA transformer, the RMU can be configured with the following components according to project requirements:
The specific fuse rating, switch rated current, and short-circuit withstand capability need to be determined based on the transformer parameters and system short-circuit calculations.
RMUs and medium-voltage switchgear can be designed according to the applicable IEC 62271 series standards based on the specific product and project requirements.
The low-voltage side of a 1250kVA transformer requires a low-voltage main incoming system and outgoing feeder system matched to the actual loads.
For example, the rated current on the low-voltage side of a 1250kVA, 415V transformer is approximately:
I = 1250 ÷ (√3 × 0.415) ≈ 1,740A
Therefore, some projects may consider a 2000A-class main low-voltage circuit breaker. However, the final breaker rating, short-circuit breaking capacity, and protection settings should still be determined based on actual load and short-circuit calculations.
The LV switchboard can be configured according to mining loads and may include:
This allows power to be supplied to concentrators, pumping stations, maintenance workshops, lighting systems, and other auxiliary loads.
Hengfengyou Electric's Southern Africa market manager Candy (candy@hengfengyou.com) notes that when procuring transformers and packaged distribution equipment for mining projects in Zambia, buyers need to confirm the specific technical requirements of the project owner, utility company, and EPC contractor in advance, in addition to considering price and lead time.
ZESCO is responsible for the construction and operation of large parts of Zambia's transmission and distribution network, which covers multiple voltage levels including 11kV and 33kV. For projects involving connections to the public grid, equipment needs to meet the specific grid connection requirements of the project.
Therefore, suppliers should confirm the following items during the quotation stage:
The final configuration of each project should be based on the owner's and project's technical specifications.
For transformers and switchgear exported to Zambia, complete English technical documentation can facilitate project technical review and equipment acceptance.
Depending on project requirements, suppliers can typically provide:
Oil-immersed transformers can be designed and tested according to the IEC 60076 series. Medium-voltage RMUs and switchgear can be designed according to applicable IEC 62271 series standards based on the specific product, while low-voltage switchgear can comply with the applicable IEC 60947 series standards according to the product category.
In 2026, mining remains an important source of electricity demand and industrial investment in Zambia. According to 2026 U.S. Department of Commerce market information, opportunities related to Zambia's mining industry include not only mineral extraction, but also mining equipment, engineering construction, mining services, and supporting infrastructure.
For transformer manufacturers, potential demand can cover:
Copper Mines → Cobalt Mines → Manganese Mines → Nickel Mines → Other Mining Projects
The corresponding power distribution equipment can include:
Distribution Transformers → RMUs → Medium-Voltage Switchgear → Low-Voltage Switchboards → Package Substations
Zambia has been actively developing solar and other renewable energy projects in recent years to increase its sources of electricity supply. In 2025, ZESCO also announced power purchase agreements associated with 29 solar projects totaling 332MWp, indicating that renewable energy projects are becoming an important part of power system expansion.
As mining captive power systems, solar projects, and energy storage systems increase, future market demand may also extend to renewable energy step-up transformers, containerized substations, and medium-voltage switchgear.
Zambian mining projects often involve long international logistics chains. Therefore, in addition to product pricing, customers also need to consider:
For overseas equipment suppliers, the ability to provide complete English technical documentation, rapid technical clarification, and packaged equipment supply can help reduce procurement and engineering coordination costs.
Hengfengyou Electric specializes in power transformers, medium- and high-voltage switchgear, RMU ring main units, low-voltage switchboards, and relay protection systems, providing integrated power distribution equipment solutions for mining and industrial projects in Zambia.
For a typical 1250kVA mining-area distribution application, the system can be configured according to project requirements with:
1250kVA Oil-Immersed Transformer
11kV / 33kV Medium Voltage System
RMU Ring Main Unit
LV Switchboard
Lightning Arrester
Cable Termination Accessories
Grounding Accessories
Hengfengyou Electric can provide product datasheets, single-line diagrams, GA drawings, test reports, protection documentation, and spare parts lists according to project requirements, while also designing suitable packaging for long-distance export transportation.
For Zambian mining EPC contractors, mine owners, and power engineering contractors, a packaged solution consisting of a 1250kVA oil-immersed transformer, RMU, and LV switchboard can be customized according to actual mining loads, grid voltage levels, and protection requirements.
For more information about 1250kVA transformers, 11kV/33kV RMUs, and LV switchboard solutions for Zambian mining projects, please contact Candy, Hengfengyou Electric's Southern Africa market manager:
Email: candy@hengfengyou.com
WhatsApp/Mobile: +86 153 1500 4987
In 2026, the growth of Zambia's mining industry, power infrastructure upgrades, and renewable energy development are creating continued demand for industrial power distribution equipment. Zambia's copper production reached approximately 890,000 tonnes in 2025, while ZESCO continues to advance substation, transmission line, and distribution network projects. Growing demand for reliable electricity among mining and industrial users is further supporting the development of the medium- and low-voltage distribution equipment market.
For mining projects, 1250kVA oil-immersed transformers can be used for concentrators, industrial workshops, pumping stations, and other medium-sized industrial loads, and can be integrated with 11kV/33kV RMUs and LV switchboards to form complete medium- and low-voltage distribution systems. Future procurement of power distribution equipment for Zambian mining projects is expected to place increasing emphasis on technical specifications, packaged equipment supply, English technical documentation, transportation conditions, and project service capabilities.
As Zambia's mining, power grid, and renewable energy projects continue to develop, 1250kVA oil-immersed transformers, RMU ring main units, and LV switchboards will continue to serve a range of mining and industrial power distribution applications, creating opportunities for international power transmission and distribution equipment suppliers.
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Email: hfy@hengfengyou.com
Address: No.638,Zhongcheng Road, Chengyang District, Qingdao City，China
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