Cameroon exploits less than 5% of its hydrometric potential

As the second hydroelectric potential in sub-Saharan Africa estimated at 13,700 MW, Cameroon provides electricity to 3 million of its more than 20 million inhabitants.

For a very long period, Cameroon, under structural adjustment could not engage in investment sites. As a result, for almost three decades, energy projects were not considered with commitment and seriousness. The situation of the production of energy in Cameroon is characterized by an imbalance between unstable and unequal in one hand, and an increasing demand on the other.

Industrial development advocated through the vision required a production and a proper energy distribution that is an input that is common to all companies and essential to the functioning of the economy and improvement of the living conditions of populations.

Cameroon has the second potential in hydropower in sub-Saharan Africa after the DRC. 19.7 GW fair technical potential for a producible of 115 TWH per year, according to the Agency for regulating the electricity sector (Arsel). Today valued potential less than 5%, since less than 1000 MW of power are installed.

The US group AES, dealer of the public service of electricity in Cameroon since 2001, claims a production capacity installed at 929 MW including 732 MW of hydroelectric capacity and 197 MW of thermal capacity. The central plant of heavy fuel at Dibamba, implemented by an independent producer, produced 88 MW, while auto-producers of electricity produce 412 MW (including 362 MW diesel-powered and 50 MW installed in sea gas).

Known oil reserves of Cameroon appear modest both in absolute terms and compared with those of neighbouring countries to the western borders, North and South of the country. The level of output of the Kribi gas is much lower. All things that corroborate the persistence of the perturbations observed in the distribution of electricity in Cameroon, at the end of last year as well as during these past three weeks.

Better, a report mission of ' Committee monitoring and evaluation of major projects by the Ministry of finance "dated January 15, 2014, reveals that since the sales of the Central gas said, the maximum average power injected into the network by the latter has never been beyond 118 MW on the 216 MW of installed capacity.

Owing to analysis made, the average output of the Kribi gas since deficit is close to 100 MW, i.e. the ability of cumulative production from four plants of the heat emergency program (PTU), that the Cameroonian Government has transferred partially to Aes Sonel, dealer in public service electricity in the country.

At the Kribi Power Development Corporation (Kpdc), the company which manages the plant, explained quasi-permanent production deficit by the fact that "the amount of energy produced is function of the demand expressed by Aes Sonel with whom Kpdc has a power purchase contract". This request, we learn from good sources, even sometimes limited to "30%" of the installed capacity of the plant, i.e. approximately 67 MW on the 216 MW expected.

Arsel believes that apart from oil, Cameroon has deposits of natural gas now estimated at 6.6 TCF, or about 186 billion m3. Indeed, the possibilities are many. With regards to solar energy, Cameroon has an abundant and available potential, especially in its northern part.

The average insolation in the northern part of the country's 5.8 kWh/m2/day, and in the southern part 4 kWh/m2/day evaluates the Arsel. For her, there is an average insulation of about 4.9 kWh/m2/days for the rest of the country, but its operations remain low. The wind potential of Cameroon is negligible and economically mineable in the regions of western Cameroon and Adamawa.

Projects in these various energy sectors are now available and Cameroon is looking for partners for their implementation.