Lukong Pius Nyuylime
6 July 2009
Total energy production in Cameroon today, according to authorities of the Ministry of Energy and Water, stands at 928 megawatts. Of this amount, 723 come from three main hydroelectric dams (Edea, Songloulou and Lagdo). This amount is far less than demand by 45 per cent.
With growing economic activities epitomized by increase industrialisation, expansion of the Cameroon Aluminium Industry (ALUCAM), agricultural mechanisation and mushrooming of mining projects among others, the future in energy supply remains rather bleak.
The Head of State in his New Year message to the nation on 31 December, 2007, condemned the fact that a country endowed with so much energy potentials could continue to suffer from such acute shortage. "It is difficult to understand why we suffer from such shortage. Yet, there are dam and electric power station projects, which have for several years been under negotiation", he said, demanding that action be taken, decisions made, commitments honoured and that in case of failures, conclusions should be drawn.
Almost two years after, nothing seems to have changed. The seven-billion Cubic metre-Lom Pangar dam project is yet to effectively takeoff though there are timid moves with the launching of the access road. The project necessitates CFA 140 billion financing. As for the Memve'ele Hydroelectric dam with a capacity of 201 MW, studies are said to have ended but signs of effectively launching work this year as announced remain doubtful. Energy and Water authorities have simply been indicating that the projects are on course. This is the case with the Kribi gaz thermal plant. No assurances as to when exactly they will see the light of day.
Last Friday’s Council of Ministers Meeting was another occasion for President Biya to hit the table at the slow pace of implementing energy projects in the country. In this vein, he instructed that their implementation be accelerated in the short term within a revived road map.
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