Access to power has steadily improved in Cameroon. National access to electricity increased from 37% in 1996 to 46% in 2002, and to 48% in 2007, above the average for Africa’s resource-rich countries. Estimates of urban access suggest that between 65% and 88% of the urban population has access to electricity. At 88%, access to power in urban areas is greater than in most low-, middle-, and resource-rich countries in Africa. But these positive trends do not extend to rural areas: only about 14% of rural dwellers benefit from access to electricity, half the level incomparable countries.Electricity supply is unevenly distributed owing to the discontinuity of the national grid, which prevents the transfer of power among the three separate grids: the Northern Interconnected Grid (NIG), the Eastern Isolated Grid (EIG) and the Southern Interconnected Grid (SIG).
The government’s policy seeks to get the country out of under-development, through the implementation of the long-term Energy Sector Development Plan (PDSE 2030) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The energy sector is now being considered as a factor for attracting investment and strengthening growth, particularly as Cameroon’s hydroelectric potential ranks second-highest in Central Africa, after that of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Moreover, Cameroon’s development objectives under the Vision 2035 envisage significant investments in the energy sector, with the inclusion of renewables. The policy goals of the government are to ensure energy independence through increased production and delivery of electricity, of oil and gas (petroleum resources) and to ensure their contribution to economic development. With regard to rural areas Cameroon’s Rural Electrification Master Plan (PDER)concerns the electrification of about 660 localities through the extension of the interconnected grids, the rehabilitation and construction of isolated diesel power plants and mini-hydro plants as well as the development of a regional grid. By 2020, the Government aims to achieve a 48% countrywide electrification rate, a 75% electricity access rate and a 20% rural electrification rate. This project will contribute to the achievement of these objectives.
Solar energy Some important solar energy resources are available throughout the country. In the most suitable parts, the average solar irradiance is estimated at 5.8 kWh/day/ m2, while the rest of the country commonly sees 4.9kWh/day/ m2 . Solar power is currently used in distributed generation systems, particularly for powering the cellular telecommunications network. However, only approximately 50 PV installations currently exist.Wind energy Other renewable energy resources such as wind energy exist in the north of Cameroon and the littoral region. However, the wind speeds as reported by meteorological services are not sufficient for the development of wind energy projects.Biomass energy Cameroon also has the third largest biomass potential in sub-Saharan Africa, with 25 million hectares of forest covering three-quarters of its territory. However, the unsustainable use of this resource has led to significant deforestation throughout the country, with an annual clearance rate of 200,000 hectares/yr and regeneration of only 3,000 hectares/yr. Primary uses for biomass in the country include heating and light for the majority of the rural population.Utilisation of palm oil for biodiesel is also a viable prospect for the country. At present, around 108,000 hectares of land are affected by oil palm growing. However between 2001 and 2006 a total of 30,000 hectares of forest were cleared to allow for the expansion palm oil crop.Geothermal energyHot springs are found in extensive areas: Ngaoundéré region, Mt Cameroon region and Manengoumba area with Lake Moundou. However this potential not been seriously examined.Hydropower Cameroon has the second largest hydroelectric potential in sub-Saharan Africa. Total potential is estimated at 23 GW, with a production potential of 103 TWh per year. There are three main facilities in the country: EDEA (263 MW); Songloulou (388 MW) and Lagdo (72 MW).The potential for small Hydro Power installations (up to 1 MW) is estimated at 1.115 TWh, mainly in the eastern and western regions of Cameroon, however this potential is yet to be properly exploited.