MINDHU, UN Habitat discuss energy conservation measures

Given the current energy shortfall in the country, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, MINDHU and UN Habitat, are working out ways and means of bridging the gap.

A two-day workshop on endorsing efficient energy consumption standards and the use of renewable energy in homes, opened at the Yaounde City Council on November 3, 2015.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou, said national electricity demand grows at about 8 per cent each year, while energy losses in 2012 stood at 5.8 per cent during transmission and 29 per cent during distribution respectively. He explained that energy efficiency entails streamlining its use for optimal results, adding that this comes with economising power consumption and cutting down on waste.

In order to save more electricity for home consumption, Minister Mbwentchou suggested the inclusion of aspects such as town planning, sustainable development, adaptation to climate changes and using renewable energy. He recalled that all efforts undertaken since 20 years by government to rationalize energy use were still to pay off, thereby necessitating a change in strategy.

Kitio Vincent, the Head of Urban Energy at UN Habitat, pointed out that agreeing on efficient energy use is a process that would take time. Homes are the greatest consumers of electricity in the country, thus the need for the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the move towards more ecological-friendly sources of energy. This process, Kitio cautioned, would also take time and requires the involvement of public and private stakeholders.