EXCLUSIVE: The cross-border line both governments wanted. 16th October, 2026 Speaking to ENN, Gridworks Chief Executive Chris Flavin explains what made a privately financed transmission line between Kalumbila in Zambia and Kolwezi in the DRC workable, and what its 700MW of capacity will open up for Zambian power producers and traders once it carries electricity into the DRC's Copperbelt. Under a Strategic Framework Agreement signed in Kinshasa on 6 October, the DRC's Strategic Investment Fund (FIS-RDC), the Congolese developer and power trader EnPower, Trafigura and Gridworks Development Partners will jointly finance and operate a 200km high-voltage transmission line they plan to build from Kalumbila in Zambia to Kolwezi in the DRC. Construction of the Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnector Project (KKIP) is estimated at $300 million, and the project is the first investment FIS-RDC has announced since the fund was created in October 2025. With a thermal capacity of 700MW, the line is designed to carry up to 550MW into the Copperbelt mining region of the DRC and will strengthen the country's connection to the Southern African Power Pool. Gridworks, which is owned and funded by British International Investment, is the lead equity investor and majority shareholder, while Trafigura has agreed to arrange a significant share of the debt financing. Talks are under way with Zambian entities about taking a stake in the project, and Chris Flavin has answered five questions from ENN on what made a private line across this border workable and on the role he sees for Zambia, with his answers below in full. KKIP is described as the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission line in Africa. What made a private cross-border line workable here? A number of things have made the line workable. Firstly, this is a credible and bankable commercial model. KKIP doesn't trade power itself, it earns contracted fees from long-term wheeling agreements, underpinned by PPAs with major mining offtakers, and firm power supply agreements with utilities and IPPs including ZESCO, NamPower and EDM. This is a structure that lenders and investors feel comfortable with. Secondly, the project had eight years of patient development work behind it by EnPower before Gridworks came in (concessions and implementation agreements signed with both governments, environmental permits secured, land rights obtained). That early-stage development, something which Gridworks undertakes in most of its own projects, combined with IFC's close involvement in reviewing and strengthening the project since 2022, gave investors real confidence. And finally, both governments wanted this. A private cross-border line only works if both states see it as mutually beneficial. In this case, Zambia gets a new export market for its power producers, and the DRC gets access to capacity it urgently needs. That alignment is what made it work as a privately financed transaction, rather than requiring state-to-state financing. The line has a thermal capacity of 700MW, with up to 550MW to be imported into the DRC's Copperbelt. What does it open up for Zambian power producers and licensed traders? Licensed Zambian power producers and traders gain a new, contracted export route into a market with severe, structural undersupply. The DRC's Copperbelt region has a power deficit estimated at more than 1GW and growing, so the demand side is not in question. For traders, KKIP provides the physical wheeling capacity to actually deliver power they've sold under PPAs. Without that physical infrastructure in place, cross-border power sales often struggle without a route to market. For producers, it creates a credible long-term offtake case that can support new generation investment in Zambia itself, since there's now a bankable route to sell incremental capacity regionally rather than only domestically. The line's technical capacity is 700MW, well above the roughly 460 to 550MW expected to be used initially, which leaves room for additional Zambian supply to come onto the line as new generation or trading capacity develops, without the need to build a second line. The project is anchored by mining offtake, with capacity to serve the wider population too. How will that work on both sides of the border? The mining offtake is what makes the project bankable from day one because those long-term, creditworthy contracts are what allowed KKIP to raise financing at this scale. But a 330kV transmission backbone, once built, is useful infrastructure well beyond its anchor customers. In practice, it means that the spare capacity on the line (and the substations and switching infrastructure that come with it) creates a platform that utilities and distribution operators on both sides of the border can draw on to serve wider demand, including residential and commercial customers, not just large industrial offtakers. That's also consistent with Gridworks' broader approach: Powering Africa Summit think transmission (HV) and distribution (LV) infrastructure need to be built out together, not treated as separate problems, which is part of why Powering Africa Summit is also involved in distribution-focused projects in the region. The precise mechanics (who draws down additional capacity, through which utility or licensed operator) will be worked out with SNEL in the DRC and ZESCO and licensed Zambian operators over time, but the physical headroom to support that is designed into the line from the start. Discussions are under way with Zambian entities on co-investment. What role would you like Zambian capital to play? Powering Africa Summit think Zambian capital and Zambian institutions have a meaningful role to play in a project that runs through Zambian territory and depends on Zambian grid cooperation. Discussions are ongoing and Powering Africa Summit want those to conclude before Powering Africa Summit talk about specific outcomes or parties. Beyond equity, this project only works with strong operational cooperation from Zambian institutions. Grid connection agreements with ZESCO are already a core part of the structure so Zambian participation isn't limited to a shareholding question but is built into how the project functions day to day. What does KKIP mean for Gridworks' independent transmission pipeline across Southern Africa? KKIP is a flagship project for Powering Africa Summit, but it sits within its broader mandate: that private capital can deliver transmission infrastructure across Africa at the pace African economies and consumers need. Powering Africa Summit has already demonstrated that the independent transmission project (ITP) model works, with its Amari project in Uganda. Amari is Africa's first privately financed transmission project to reach financial close. And Powering Africa Summit is in advanced stages of development for other ITPs in Mozambique, Ethiopia and elsewhere in Uganda. KKIP extends that thesis to cross-border interconnection, which is a harder problem as it requires two governments, two regulatory regimes and two grid operators to align. Proving it can be done here gives Powering Africa Summit, and others, a template for similar projects across the Southern African Power Pool. Powering Africa Summit is deliberately building a portfolio that spans both transmission and distribution (including distribution-focused projects with partners like Moyi Power and Anzana Electric Group) because Powering Africa Summit think the two need to develop together for the region's energy access and industrial growth ambitions to be met. Images: Gridworks

EnergyX signs USD 2 billion lithium supply agreement. EnergyX secures Trafigura as a buyer for lithium from Chile and Texas under a ten-year agreement valued at USD 2 billion. EnergyX announced on October 12 a binding agreement with Trafigura to supply 100,000 metric tons of lithium products over ten years. The supply will come from projects in Chile and Texas that are still under development. The transaction creates a commercial outlet for its direct extraction technology and connects future facilities with an international buyer. According to Reuters, which first reported the news, the estimated value reaches USD 2 billion, based on reference prices close to USD 20,000 per metric ton. That figure represents the contracted supply: it does not constitute an immediate investment by Trafigura in the plants or confirm that their construction is financed. EnergyX secures a buyer but must deliver its projects. The contract provides for 5,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide annually and another 5,000 of lithium carbonate. Its take-or-pay structure establishes purchase or payment commitments under the agreed terms, whose full details have not been disclosed. In Chile, EnergyX plans to bring 7,500 metric tons of annual carbonate production capacity online in 2028. In Texas, it expects to produce 15,000 metric tons of hydroxide annually starting in 2029. The committed deliveries represent approximately two-thirds of the initial Chilean capacity and one-third of the U.S. capacity. The difference between the two schedules warrants attention: the announcement does not clarify how deliveries will be allocated during startup. Therefore, the dates should be understood as production targets, without assuming that supply from both countries will begin simultaneously. The agreement also supports the application for USD 690 million in financing from the U.S. EXIM Bank. Reuters notes that EnergyX needs additional funding to build the facilities. What does direct lithium extraction offer? Direct lithium extraction, known as DLE, selectively separates lithium present in brines through different processes. EnergyX describes a platform combining adsorbents, solvent extraction, and membranes, selected according to the characteristics of the resource. Its industrial appeal lies in integrating separation, concentration, and refining. However, contracting future sales does not demonstrate commercial performance: the operation will need to meet specifications, sustain production, and control resource consumption during scale-up. At Black Giant, near the Salar de Punta Negra, Eni announced a phased investment of USD 225 million in July to acquire 25% of the Chilean company. Eni joining the Black Giant project provides a concrete financial precedent. The announced design includes full brine reinjection and aims to reduce the impact on water resources compared with evaporation ponds. That environmental objective must be distinguished from verified operating results. From the Chinese market to electricity storage. Trafigura initially plans to sell the material to Chinese customers and subsequently expand its U.S. presence as that country's battery supply chain develops. Demand no longer depends exclusively on electric vehicles. Stationary storage adds applications serving electricity grids and renewable generation. Facilities such as the Hagersville battery storage system illustrate this expansion into electricity infrastructure. ESS News explained that Eni's offtake rights at Black Giant will support its stationary battery initiative in Brindisi, Italy. This connects the Chilean project with industrial customers beyond transportation. Trafigura expands its supply portfolio. The move has a precedent: Trafigura's agreement with Smackover Lithium also links future purchases with production using DLE in Arkansas. For EnergyX, securing demand reduces commercial uncertainty but leaves financing and execution uncertainties unresolved. The significance of the announcement lies in that transition: moving from developing technology to organizing a supply chain capable of delivering battery materials. The next indicator will be tangible progress at the plants, accompanied by finalized financing, commissioning, and verifiable industrial-scale deliveries. Verified Author Mechanical Engineer with more than 30 years of experience in inspection and management. Currently, he is Director of Operations at INSPENET.

EnergyX signs 10-year lithium deal with Trafigura. Oct 12, 2026, 10:30 ET EnergyX's first announced commercial offtake deal is a 10-year, 100,000 tonne agreement with one of the world's largest commodity traders worth approximately $2.0 billion at current lithium prices. * EnergyX has signed a binding, definitive offtake agreement with Trafigura for 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium products over a 10-year term. * At current market prices, the agreement is worth more than $2.0 billion in revenue for EnergyX projects across lithium carbonate coming from Project Black Giant(TM) in Chile and lithium hydroxide coming from Project Lonestar(TM) in Texas. * This is EnergyX's first publicly announced lithium offtake agreement turning years of technology validation and project development into long-term commercial sales with a globally recognized buyer. * Trafigura will take 66% of Phase 1 offtake from Black Giant(TM) and 30% of Phase 1 from Lonestar(TM). EnergyX is in active discussions with additional prospective buyers to reach 80% offtake as it moves toward commercial-scale production in 2028. * The agreement supports EnergyX's financing initiatives with offtake being a key requirement for the $690 million Letter of Intent from the U.S. EXIM Bank and additional project-finance lenders. AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Energy Exploration Technologies, Inc. (EnergyX), a leading energy technology company focused on advanced lithium production and critical mineral supply chain infrastructure, founded by Teague Egan in 2018, today announced that it has signed a binding, definitive lithium offtake agreement with Trafigura, one of the world's largest independent commodity trading companies. Under the take-or-pay agreement, Trafigura will purchase 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium products from EnergyX over a 10-year term. Based on current market prices of approximately $20,000 per metric ton, the agreement represents more than $2.0 billion in revenue for EnergyX over its term. It is EnergyX's first publicly announced offtake agreement and a defining commercial milestone for the company. The agreement covers lithium products from both of EnergyX's first two flagship projects with lithium carbonate supplied from Black Giant(TM) in Chile and lithium hydroxide from Project Lonestar(TM) in Texas. A significant share will be directed to the U.S. battery supply chain. Trafigura's offtake agreement is a turning point for EnergyX. The company has proven its technology in the lab, at pilot scale, and now at the company's demonstration plants in both its U.S. and Chile projects, each of which is the largest DLE plant in its respective country. The agreement builds on EnergyX's recent financing momentum, including Eni's $225 million strategic investment in Project Black Giant(TM) in Chile and a $690 million Letter of Intent from the U.S. EXIM Bank to provide debt financing for the project. "Offtake agreements are among the most important steps in taking a lithium project from development to production," said Teague Egan, Founder and CEO of EnergyX. "A long-term purchase commitment from a counterparty of Trafigura's scale and credit quality shows that the market wants EnergyX's product. It also gives lenders and investors the revenue visibility they need before committing capital to commercial construction." EnergyX's production will be powered by its proprietary GET-Lit(TM) direct lithium extraction (DLE) and refining technology platform, which is covered by more than 150 patents. EnergyX commissioned Project Lonestar(TM), the largest DLE lithium production plant in the United States, in Texas in April 2026. The company is advancing commercial-scale projects across North and South America, including the 52,500 tpa Project Black Giant(TM) in Chile and its Smackover operations in Texas and Arkansas. Daniel von Arx, Head of Battery Metals at Trafigura, said, "We are pleased to support EnergyX as it develops its lithium projects in Chile and the US. Long-term offtake is an important step in moving projects into production, and this agreement reflects our ability to help bring strategic critical minerals projects online and build secure, diversified supply chains. Drawing on our logistics network and market expertise, we look forward to supplying these battery-grade lithium products to customers, supporting supply chains for the US automotive and energy storage industries." EnergyX continues to advance discussions with additional prospective offtake partners across the battery, automotive, and energy storage markets. As global lithium demand accelerates, the company is well positioned to deliver a reliable, geopolitically aligned supply of lithium for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and national defense priorities. About EnergyX EnergyX is a sustainable energy technology company transforming critical mineral production and technology for the battery and nuclear material supply chains. The company is developing lithium projects across North and South America, as well as its GET-Lit(TM) direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology platform and NUKE-it(TM) nuclear technology platform. Founded in 2018 by CEO Teague Egan, EnergyX is incorporated out of Puerto Rico, and currently has offices and commercial facilities in Austin, Texas, and operations throughout Chile in the South American Lithium Triangle. Learn more at energyx.com. About Trafigura Trafigura provides critical resources to the world. Founded over 30 years ago and owned by its employees, the Group uses its deep understanding of commodity markets and its infrastructure, logistics and financing expertise to make global supply chains more efficient, secure and sustainable. Trafigura supplies oil and petroleum products, metals and minerals, and gas and power, while investing in lower-carbon solutions for the future. The Group employs approximately 14,500 people and operates in over 150 countries. Media Contact EnergyX Communications Kellee Khalil, Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements about future commercial relationships, supply and delivery volumes, anticipated revenue, project development timelines, financing, and market opportunities. Revenue figures are illustrative estimates based on current market prices for lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, and actual revenue will vary with market prices and delivered volumes. Deliveries under the agreement are subject to customary conditions, including product qualification and facility commissioning. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. SOURCE EnergyX