Cameroon's energy deficit reaches 100 MW per day

The deficit in production of electric energy in Cameroon reached daily peaks of 100 MW, since the beginning of the year 2015, which coincides with the dry season during which the water level droped significantly in dams operated by Energy of Cameroon (Eneo), the concessionaire of the public service of electricity in the country.

In order to reduce the deficit, which should continue until March 2015, the operator of the electricity sector and the Cameroonian authorities have decided to implement emergency measures, like the reactivation of the thermal power plant of Ahala, with a capacity of 60 MW.

Managed by the British company Aggreko, this plant is part of the four books of the thermal emergency programme (PTU) launched a few years ago by the Government, and remains the only plant of the PTU to have not surrendered to Eneo so far.

In addition to restart the engines from Central plant of Ahala, Eneo, obtained from its largest consumers a substantial reduction in consumption in the evening period to which the application of household explodes. The Alucam company for instance consumes nearly half of the electricity produced in the country.

This erasure of large consumers at specific times, is expected to recover 30 MW to re-inject in the network for household consumers, under the age-old distribution of electricity rationing for more than a month.

As a reminder, the energy deficit caused Cameroon to lose half a point of growth each year, according to estimates by the Ministry of the economy.

Similarly, a study by the local representation of the ILO at the request of the interpatronal grouping of Cameroun (Gicam), place the energy deficit at the top of the factors limiting the optimum development of the companies in the country.