Country Profile of

Conventional and Renewable Energies:

Republic of Cameroon

Last updated on 13/09/06

Prepared by

Maria-Evangelia Kaninia
Intern from August to …, 2006

For the

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Statistics Division
Energy Statistics Section
United Nations, New York
Table of contents
1 Executive summary.................................................................................................... 3
2 Introduction and Overview ......................................................................................... 4
2.1 Brief Country Facts (source: [CIA]) ....................................................................... 4
2.1.1 Geographical data......................................................................................... 4
2.1.2 Population ..................................................................................................... 4
2.1.3 Political situation ........................................................................................... 4
2.1.4 Economical situation ..................................................................................... 4
2.2 Overview of the Energy Sector.............................................................................. 5
2.2.1 Production, trade and consumption of commercial energy .......................... 5
2.3 Overview of Renewable Energy .......................................................................... 12
2.3.1 Overview of available RE resources........................................................... 12
2.3.2 Legislative and institutional structure.......................................................... 12
2.3.3 RE targets and commitments ..................................................................... 12
3 Analysis of Renewable Energy Sector..................................................................... 13
3.1 Analysis of Different Types of Renewable Energy .............................................. 13
3.1.1 Hydro .......................................................................................................... 13
3.1.2 Solar............................................................................................................ 14
3.1.3 Wind............................................................................................................ 14
3.1.4 Biomass & Waste........................................................................................ 15
3.2 Summary and Conclusion ................................................................................... 16
3.2.1 RE development within the overall context of the domestic energy sector 16
3.2.2 Assessment of policies, institutions and technological capacities.............. 16
3.2.3 Summary and assessment of major constraints......................................... 16
4 References / Sources .............................................................................................. 16
4.1 Information sources ............................................................................................. 16
1 Executive summary
Cameroon is a West African country just north of the equator line with a population of 17
million. With a GDP of $2400 per capita (estimation for 2005), it ranks amidst the poorest
countries of the world (beneath the average $2820 per capita of Sub-Saharan Africa (according to
data retrieved from [EIU])), although it is politically stable.
Energy-wise, oil reserves have been exploited since the seventies but are currently on a
steady decline. The sole refinery of the country can not process the entire quantity of crude oil
that is produced in the country, so that oil distillates are actually imported. Proved gas reserves
are succeeding as a probable substitute of declining oil revenues. The electricity generation
sector relies almost entirely on the hydromechanical potential of the country, but supplies mainly
an industrial aluminum energy-intensive industry and only a meager part of the population. The
latter turns traditionally to fuelwood to satisfy the residential energy needs.
Renewable energy projects that are currently being planned concern the further
exploitation of the hydro potential. Development of the electricity sector could alleviate the burden
currently placed on the forests of Cameroon, which provide the fuelwood for the electricity-
deprived population. Small-scale, distributed RE (for example solar) projects could also be
developed. However, no official frame providing funding exists.
2 Introduction and Overview
2.1 Brief Country Facts (source: [CIA])
2.1.1 Geographical data
- Surface area: 475,440 sq km, which
amounts to approximately 85% of the
surface of France.
- Terrain / topography: Diverse, with coastal
plain in southwest, dissected plateau in
center, mountains in west, plains in north.
The percentage of arable land amounts to
15%. It lies on the eastern border of oil-rich
Nigeria.
- Climate: Diverse, ranging from tropical
along the coastline to semiarid and hot in
the north.

2.1.2 Population
- Total population: Approximately 17 million.
The population curve is intensely skewed
towards younger ages, since 40% belongs
to the 0-14 group.
- Growth rate: 2.0%. Approximately 7% are Figure 1 Map of Cameroon
affected by the HIV/AIDS (mentioned as a major[CIA]
prohibitive factor towards development).

2.1.3 Political situation

The Republic of Cameroon emerged as an independent country in 1961, through the
merging of the former British Cameroon and part of the French Cameroon. In a continent ravaged
by inter- or intra- state wars, Cameroon has enjoyed relative stability, which allowed the
development of agriculture (which amounts to approximately 50% of the GDP), road and oil
network and the petroleum industry. Although some improvement towards an actual democracy
has been achieved, political power is controlled by an ethnically determined oligarchy.

2.1.4 Economical situation

Owing to its resources in minerals and petroleum as well as the favourable for the
agriculture climatic conditions, Cameroon is well-endowed in primary commodities. However, the
chronic diseases of many underdeveloped countries (such as the excessively large and inefficient
civil service, high unemployment rate of about 30% and the unfavourable for enterprise initiatives
climate) do plague Cameroon. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF ([IMF])
and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in
agriculture, improve trade, and the banking system. Through these projects, Cameroon is
encouraged to reduce its dependence on oil revenues, which will cease to be reliable unless
current exploration yields significant results. (The reduced growth rate noticed lately is exactly
due to reduced petroleum output). Characteristically, the World Bank Country Brief on Cameroon
(see [WB]) specifies 1996 as the turning point for “correcting the years of economic
mismanagement” and implementing “successful government reforms”. Owing to the reforms
implemented by the government, real GDP growth was sustained around 4.7 percent during
1997–2000, and inflation remained at around 3.5 percent. Overall economic growth declined to
about 3.8 percent per annum during 2001-05, due mainly to the rapid decline in oil production
([WB]), but is projected
2.1.4.1 Vital statistics (2005 estimation, [CIA])
- GDP (PPP): $40.83 billion
- GDP growth rate: 2.8%
- GDP (PPP) per capita: $2400
- Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2%
- Main exports: Crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee,
cotton, for which the principal buyer is the EU.
- Main imports: Machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food, for which
Cameroon relies heavily on France (24.5%), neighboring Nigeria (11.3%), Belgium,
China, United States, Thailand and Germany.

2.2 Overview of the Energy Sector

2.2.1 Production, trade and consumption of commercial1 energy
Cameroon’s oil production amounts to roughly 1% of the world supply (82,300
bbl/d[CIA]). Its oil reserves are estimated at 85 million bbl [CIA]. Foraging has proved that there
also exist natural gas reserves amounting to 110 billion cubic meters [CIA]. These have not been
exploited so far.
Table 12 presents the simplified energy balance for the year 2002, based on data
retrieved from [UNCDB].
liquid
ktoe total fuels solid fuels gas electricity
production 6445 274
exp -5520
imp 109
consumption 1235 961 274
Table 1 Simplified energy balance table for Cameroon, 2002 [UNCDB]

2.2.1.1 Solids / Coal

Negligible.

2.2.1.2 Oil
The following table provides the detailed energy balance for oil and oil-derived
commodities, as provided by [EIAa]:
OIL 000 bbl/d
refinery
production output imports exports consumption
crude oil 67 63.0 97.9
gasoline 6.8 0.7 1.7 5.7
kerosene 4.6 0.4 1.8 3.1
distillate 9.1 0.7 3.2 9.0
residual 6.4 4.4 1.5
other 3.6 4.2

1
The World Resources Institute [WRI] Earth Trends country profile suggests that the
non-commercial energy sources (such as fuel wood, which is not included in the figures provided
by other sources) is significant, amounting for another 5000 ktoe.
2
However, the portal [MBENDI] mentions that oil smuggled from the Niger delta can
account for another 30% of the officially accounted for inland demand. This would substantially
distort the energy balance tables.
 total 67 30.4 64.9 108.9 23.5

Figure 2 Oil production timeline ([EIA])

source: [EIA]
Table 2 Oil sector supply table ([EIAa])
[EIA] mentions that the proven oil reserves amount to 400 million barrels3 (which would
hypothetically suffice to cover the global oil demand for six days at present consumption levels).
The reserves are mainly located offshore in the Rio del Rey Basin of the Niger Delta, offshore
and onshore in the Douala/Kribi-Camp basins on the western coast, and onshore in the Logone-
Birni basin in the northern part of the country.
However, Cameroon’s oil output peaked in 1985 and has thereafter declined. As can be
observed, during the last few years Chad has started producing considerable amounts of oil,
which are related to Cameroon’s production in that all oil produced in Chad and destined to
exports has to transit through Cameroon, via a recently assembled pipeline4 ending at Kribi
terminal. Every barrel of oil transiting through this pipeline generates income for Cameroon; at a
rate of $0.46/bbl. Cameroon Oil Transport Company (COTCO – consortium consisting of
ExxonMobil, Chevron and Petronas) owns and operates the respective part of the pipeline5.

3
Notice the divergence between the estimated reserves as provided by [CIA] and [EIA].
4
The construction of the pipeline has raised controversy concerning the environmental
side-effects. For an extensive report, see [EDEF].
5
The pipeline project is extensively documented at [WBNKa].
 There is an ongoing process of restructuring in Cameroon, aiming at encouraging
investment in the petroleum sector and allowing for tax alleviations for activities such as
exploration. Technically, the Ministry of Mines and Energy regulates the upstream oil sector;
however, it is the National Hydrocarbons Company (SNH) (which is in a transition status towards
privitisation but reports directly to the president) that directs all activities at the three major basins
and represents the government’s interests. The legislation governing oil-related activities is
summarized in [MBENDI].
Distribution of authority in
SNH operates several of its activities in conjunction the oil sector.
with western oil companies (among them Total of France
operates two thirds of the oil production). Recently, in May
2005, Total was assigned an exploration block in the
offshore Rio del Rey basin6. The outcome of the exploration activities was positive, as reported in
[OILV], which shows further potential for the upstream oil sector.
Concerning the ongoing exploration activities, the border dispute with Nigeria over the
Bakassi peninsula ought to be mentioned. The peninsula, over which Cameroon now has
sovereignty after a positive ruling of the International Court in 2002, is believed to contain
significant reserves (see [UN]).
As to the mid- and down-stream sector, Cameroon only operates one refinery (since
1981) in the port city of Limbe with a throughput capacity of 42,000 bbl/d. Therefore, Cameroon
exports most of its crude production, while it meets its domestic needs in processed refinery
products through imports from neighbouring countries, namely Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
The retail market comprises players such as Total, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco and Shell. The
petroleum products are distributed domestically by the Cameroon Petroleum Depot Company
(SCDP).

2.2.1.3 Gas
The detailed energy balance provided by [EIAa] shows that so far no gas is marketed or
otherwise profitably used. In 2003, 53 bcf were produced (gross production, associated with the
oil pumping process). However, the entire quantity was vented or flared.
Cameroon has however significant reserves to exploit. The 3.9 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) (or
110bcm, 62bcm of which concentrated in five major fields) (source: [CIA]; there is general
consensus among major sources as far as this estimation is concerned) of proved reserves
potentially available (equivalent to approximately 4% of the current yearly global natural gas
demand ([BP])) have since 2004 become the object of talks between Syntroleum Corporation and
Cameroon over a proposed joint venture with Euroil (for a detailed report on the latter deal,
containing the terms of the agreement concerning the offshore MLHP-4 block, see [AOJ]).
As is mentioned in [TIM], the five major gas fields could supply electricity to Cameroon for
400 years (assuming the operation of a 100MW at 50% load factor) at present day demand rates
– which shall not be maintained if the current growth trend is sustainable.

2.2.1.4 Electricity
According to [EIA], as of January 2003 Cameroon relied mainly on hydroelectric power
generating stations (90% of a total installed capacity of 900MW7) in order to satisfy the inland
demand for electrical energy. The remaining capacity is provided by conventional thermal plants.
Cameroon is facing a severe problem because of its sole reliance on hydromechanical resources,
since in the dry season the aforementioned capacity falls to 450MW and electricity has to be

6
The related press release can be found at the website for Total.
7
[AESa] reports that the installed capacity is 850 MW divided among 3 plants. However,
it is not specified whether the remaining 50MW could, for example, correspond to private
industrial auto-producers units, which are not included in the total capacity of the public utility. In
contrast [AESb] (which ought to be the most accurate source of information since it targets
investors) reports that AES-Sonel is “the sole generating company” and that the capacity is 933
MW (77% hydro and 23% thermal).
rationed. Figure 4 shows the increments in hydroelectric power capacity realized in the mid
nineties and earlier in the current decade, while the installed thermal capacity remains constant.
The same source (see [EIAc]) provides a figure of 3.5 billion KWh of generated electricity in 2003
(yielding an average utilization rate of 35%)8. To put figures into perspective, this amounts to
160kWh per capita, compared to a world average of approximately 2300kWh per capita ([WRI]).
[EIA] mentions that in 2001, US-based AES Corporation purchased a majority stake
(56%, see [AESa]) in the state-run Société Nationale d’Electricité (SONEL). AES-SONEL
implemented a plan to invest $500 million to improve Cameroon’s electrical infrastructure. The
completion of an 85-MW, oil-fired plant at Limbe, in August 2004, marked the first step in the
electricity network improvements. AES-SONEL has additional plans to build hydroelectric plants,
as well as Cameroon’s first natural gas-fired plant at Kribi. The Kribi facility is expected to be
operational by 2007. In October 2003, AES-SONEL and the government adopted a new
electricity tariff structure to reduce electricity costs for residential customers.
An idea about the situation in the electricity utility shortly after the transition from the
strictly state-owned SONEL to the partially privatised AES-SONEL can be acquired through the
report [POSTb].
Furthermore, the privatisation results are being criticized in [PINa]. The main conclusion
is that due to the weak institutions, competition and private ownership cannot be fully relied on,
and that government involvement is unavoidable.

Electricity production in Cameroon

4.00
3.50
3.00
billion kWh

2.50
2.00
thermal
1.50
hydro
1.00
0.50
0.00
80

82

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

98

00

02

04
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

20

Figure 3 Electricity production timeline

8
The loss percentage was approximately 25%, as reported by [AESb].
 Figure 4 Installed capacity by type: 85 MW of thermal generation were added in
2004

bkWh 2002 2003 2004

total 3.26 3.64 3.92
thermal conventional 0.11 0.15 0.19
hydroelectric 3.15 3.49 3.73
Table 2 Electricity generation by type ([EIA])
ARSEL is the electricity regulating agency under the aforementioned Ministry of Mines
and Energy.

2.2.1.4.1 Consumption by sector

[IEA] provides the following data on the consumption of final energy by sector:

total final energy consumption by sector (ktoe)

119
1067

industry
753
transport
residential
other sectors

4503

Figure 5 Total final energy consumption, source: [IEA], 2006

 Final energy consumption by sector by fuel

4500

ktoe
4000
3500 oil products
3000
2500 biomass and waste
2000 (combined)
1500 electricity
1000
500
0
other
industry transport residential
sectors
oil products 60 753 182 0
biomass and waste 887 0 4274 0
(combined)
electricity 120 0 47 119

Figure 6 Final energy consumption by sector by type, source: [IEA], 2006

This set of data is differentiated from the data provided by the [UNCDB] in that it does
include the fuelwood consumed in the residential sector. Statistical errors can justify the
remaining divergences.
By far the largest consumer of electricity is the aluminum smelting industry (and in
particular the Alucam aluminum smelter, co-owned by the state and Alcan of Canada), requiring
over 50% of the total load (information retrieved from [IRN]). The controversial (see 3.1.1.3)
project to expand the hydro capacity by building a dam at Lom Pangar was planned with a view
(primarily) to supply this energy-intensive industrial unit.

2.2.1.4.2 Household / commercial access to electricity

The percentage of population with access to electricity is estimated by [WRI] at 20% (or
3.4 million) as of 2000. Characteristically, a report retrieved from [GVEP] mentions that in rural
areas 98% of the population relies exclusively on wood for cooking. In the capital this percentage
is 25%. [EIA] mentions that since the acquisition of a majority stake of SONEL by AES (see
2.2.1.4) another half million people now have direct access to the grid. However, there is no
unified grid, and the systems for the northern (Northern Interconnected Grid or NIG) and southern
part of the country (Southern Interconnected Grid or SIG) are not linked. A report retrieved from
[GVEP]
A relatively recent presentation by the General Manager of AES-SONEL (see [AES])
describes the customer base of the company as follows: Five large (industrial) users, 1200
medium voltage users and 528,000 low voltage connections. These are supplied through over
1,800 km of high voltage and 12,000 km of medium voltage transmission lines, also owned and
managed by AES-SONEL. The same report also describes the areas served by each of the two
distinct transmission and distribution systems: The NIG supplies three Northern provinces with
hydroelectricity generated at Lagdo and at thermal plants. The SIG supplies the capital Yaoundé
and Douala. There are also 31 remote independent cells with separate small distributed
networks. These are supplied by small thermal units, accounting in total for 24 MW.
The electricity grid is sketched in Figure 8.
Recently ([POSTa]), AES-SONEL announced reductions in its fees for installing
electricity, as part of a reform to increase electricity accessibility and stop malpractices such as
direct stealing from the grid or indirect connection to the grid through the few individuals who up
to now could actually afford the connection fees.
Also, the African Development Bank (see [AFDB]) reports on a project of a total cost of
€380 million “to improve electricity supply and network efficiency”, with start-up date in September
2006. The bank will supply partial funding and its support is an indicator of the priority that is
being given to electricity access.
2.3 Overview of Renewable Energy
2.3.1 Overview of available RE resources
So far, the only RE resource that has been exploited is the hydromechanical energy
accounting for 95% ([EIA]) of the electricity generated, or for 4% of the total inland primary
resources.
[WRI] provides a figure of 5094 ktoe (2001) for solid biomass (including fuelwood)
consumption. However, this amount is undocumented and relates to non-commercial energy
resources, since it mostly concerns residential use for the vast majority of the population that
does not have access to the electricity grid.
It can be reasonably assumed that the country has a substantial potential for solar energy
exploitation, especially for small-scale distributed projects, owing to its large solar exposure.
However, no published estimates have been found.

2.3.2 Legislative and institutional structure

The Ministry of Mines and Energy is responsible for energy-related projects. However its
authority is by-passed in certain major matters; for example, the electricity provider (AES-SONEL)
reports directly to the president.
No domestic legislation aimed at advancing RE has been found.

2.3.3 RE targets and commitments

No declarations by the governmental agencies of Cameroon related to RE targets have
been found.
Cameroon has ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 (entry into force in 2005). Therefore, it
is committed to the obligations resulting from the Protocol (and which indirectly assume
implementation of RE projects).
3 Analysis of Renewable Energy Sector9
3.1 Analysis of Different Types of Renewable Energy
3.1.1 Hydro
3.1.1.1 Resource potential
hydropower:1999 ([WEC]) TWh/y
gross theoretical capability 294
technical exploitable capability 115
economically exploitable capability 103
The technically exploitable hydro capability is the fourth largest in Africa ([WEC]).
By retaining the last figure and supposing a conservative average efficiency factor of
30%, it results that 30 TWh/y of electricity could be produced from hydro energy (compare to
4.5TWh/y which is the current figure). In other words, less than 15% of the potential capability is
now being exploited.

3.1.1.2 Achievements
[SHY] provides a detailed report of the already existing and operating hydro plants. The
following table summarizes the characteristics of these projects:
Capacity (MW) Notes
Song Loulou 384 8 units
Edea I,II,III 204 14 units (combined at all three sites)
Lagdo 72 4 units

Table 3 Hydro projects (operating)

The existing hydro plants, according to the same source, need to be upgraded and
refurbished in order to strengthen the national power system. For example, two of the Song
Loulou units have already been through a renovation process, while the Edea units are still in the
assessment stage.

3.1.1.3 Current projects / dynamics of development

No schemes are currently under construction, though it is mentioned ([WBNKb]) that new
hydro plants are being planned. However, the sole generating company, AES-SONEL seems to
favor the expansion through new thermal plants in order to reduce the risk associated with bad
hydrology years (see [AESb], page 15).
More specifically, [SHY] provides a list of sites that are being discussed, but with no
dates for development yet provided:
[CMGV] provides an update on these projects.
Capacity (estimate in MW) Notes
Lom river, potential to be
Lom Pangar10 56
upgraded

9
A general assessment of the RE sector in Africa can be found in [RENAFR].
10
[IRN] provides a detailed report on the environmental concerns related to the
construction of this project.
 Bini a Warak 75 Vina-North river, north
Nachtigal 267 Sanaga river
Memve'Ele 202 Ntem river
Kader 15
Table 4 Planned hydro projects (planning stage) [SHY]
The total capacity of the above projects amounts to 615MW, or about 80% of the current
capacity.
Since Cameroon is self-reliant as far as its electricity supply is concerned and has the
potential to become a net exporter, the possibility of an interconnection towards Chad is being
examined by EDF of France and the AES-SONEL (mentioned in [SHY]). The interconnection
would supply Chad with electrical energy produced at the Lagdo site (proximity to the border).
In order to face the problem of seasonal availability of hydro power, a reservoir at the
Lom Pangar site is being considered ([SHY]). The reservoir would stabilize the electricity
availability from the dependant plants, namely Song Loulou and Edea.
The INGA hydroelectric project ([EIAb]) is worth being mentioned. According to the plan,
the vast hydro potential of the river Congo would become further exploited and shared within
Africa via an extensive interconnection scheme. Should this plan be implemented, Cameroon’s
own network would act as a link, ensuring steady and reliable supply in electricity.

3.1.1.4 Policies, programs and institutions to promote this type of RE

As mentioned, Cameroon could take advantage of the Kyoto-associated mechanisms
(see [UNFCC]) (which were development with a view to satisfying developing countries’ needs) in
order to finance hydro projects.

3.1.1.5 Major constraints

Cameroon’s heavy reliance on its hydro projects has resulted in a precarious situation for
the electricity sector: namely, because the existing projects are mainly run-of-river (thus, energy
is not stored), the power system is vulnerably to drought.

3.1.1.6 Summary
In short, Cameroon has the potential to fully cover its needs in electricity (and further,
become a net exporter) by harnessing the hydromechanical energy, provided it diversifies the
electricity supply so as to ensure alternative sources of supply during periods of drought.

3.1.2 Solar
Cameroon has obviously significant solar energy potential. However information on
whether relative large-scale (in the sense of being initiated in the course of a broader effort)
projects exist is not available.
However, the site [IBCAM] provides instances of solar energy small-scale applications
(such as solar cells for water pumping). Another example indicating a tendency towards small-
scale solar energy applications is the report published on [AFREN]11, describing a training
session held in Cameroun.

3.1.3 Wind
No information focused specifically on Cameroon has been found. However, [HEL]
mentions that Cameroon is not included in the group of African countries with significant wind
energy potential, especially since there are other sources available.

11
Mentioned as an example of a company catering to an apparently growing market for
small-scale technologies of this type, since most of these companies do not have accessible web
sites.
3.1.4 Biomass & Waste
3.1.4.1 Fuelwood
As is the rule in Africa (the most intensive user of fuelwood in per capita terms – almost
exclusively for residential use), a significant amount of Cameroon’s primary energy is met through
the use of fuelwood. [WRI], as was recorded above, provides an estimate of about 5000 ktoe
regarding the energy value of fuelwood currently used. This amounts to 80% of the oil production
recorded in 2003.
The figures provided by [WEC] are as follows:
total surface (th. sq. km) 465
forest coverage (th. sq. km) 239 54%
production (million tonnes) 11.2
Table 5 Fuelwood data, 1999 [WEC]
[GFW] has published [GFWa], an extensive report on the current state of affairs of the
forests of Cameroon, where it is explicitly mentioned that “most of the wood harvested… is used
to meet local energy needs”. The following chart, retrieved from the report mentioned above
shows that fuelwood consumption is steadily increasing.

Figure 7 Fuelwood production (source: [GFWa])

3.1.4.1.1 Major constraints

No documentation has been found; however one issue of interest is the sustainable
exploitation of the forests.

3.1.4.1.2 Summary
Fuelwood is already widely used to meet residential energy requirements, by a
population that is deprived of access to a national grid. The normal course expected is that the
use of fuelwood will increase as projects to make electricity accessible to a larger percentage of
the population are realized.

3.1.4.2 Biomass other than wood

[WEC] provides the following figures concerning sugar cane production and the
associated potentially exploitable bagasse (the remaining burnable material after the extraction of
sugar cane juice):
kTonnes
Cane sugar production 52
Bagasse potential availability 170
A conservative calculation based on an assumption of 10MJ/kg of bagasse leads to a
figure of about 40ktoe, which is not significant by itself. No indication that energy crops in general
are being promoted has been found.
3.2 Summary and Conclusion
3.2.1 RE development within the overall context of the domestic
energy sector
Cameroon already covers its needs in electricity by means of hydro energy. Potential for
further development exists.
In order to compare the dynamics of the RE sector, we have to mention that the overall
demand for electricity depends by far on the percentage of the population that actually has
access to electricity. So the projects relating to making electricity accessible and actually
generating electricity are complementary and cannot be considered or assessed separately.

3.2.2 Assessment of policies, institutions and technological

capacities
No documentation on state policies has been found. However, intergovernmental
organizations such as [NEPAD] take interest in implementation of RE projects.
The Clean Development Mechanism (see [UNFCC]) is a potential framework for
implementing RE projects.

3.2.3 Summary and assessment of major constraints

The only constraints concerning which sufficient documentation has been found are
related to the major hydro plants currently in planning stage. These constraints are related to
environmental concerns.

Current Incentives / Major Overall

Potential Achievements
projects Institutions constraints feasibility

more
90% of current
plants in
Hydro major electrical na environmental Y
planning
capacity
stage
private,
Solar major N small- na cost Y
scale
Wind N N na na na na
already used to environmental
Biomass Y meet residential na na – excessive Y
energy needs logging
Waste na na na na na na / N
Geothermal na na na na na na
Oceanic na na na na na na

4 References / Sources
4.1 Information sources
- [CIA] https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cm.html, CIA World Factbook,
accessed on 25/08/06
- [MBENDI] http://www.mbendi.co.za/indy/oilg/af/ca/p0005.htm, portal to information on
Africa, accessed on 25/08/06
- [UNSD] http://unstats.un.org/unsd/energy, 2003 Energy Statistics Yearbook, 2002 Energy
Balance and Electricity Profiles
- [UNnews] www.un.org/News/, “Nigeria hands Cameroon formal control of Bakassi
Peninsula under UN-sponsored deal”, published on 14/09/06, accessed on 13/09/06
- [BP] www.bp.com, Statistical Review of World Energy 2006, accessed on 28/08/06
- [EIU] http://www.eiu.com, Economist Intelligence Unit, accessed on 05/09/06
- [UNCDB] http://unstats.un.org/unsd/cdb, UN Common Database, accessed on 25/08/06
- [EIA] http://www.eia.doe.gov/, Energy Information Administration, Country Analysis
Briefs, accessed on 25/08/06
o [EIAa] http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/world/country/cntry_CM.html, detailed
country energy balance by type of energy commodities (year 2003), accessed on
28/08/06
o [EIAb] http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/inga.html, detailed description of the
INGA hydroelectric facility and interconnection plans, published in 11/2002,
accessed on 30/08/06
o [EIAc] http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electricitygeneration.html,
accessed on 14/09/06
- [WRI] http://wri.org/, World Resources Information, Earthtrends, accessed on 28/08/06
- www.postnewsline.com, English-language newspaper of Cameroon:
o [POSTa], article “AES SONEL Announces Reduction In Electricity Installation
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-

5 Annex

Figure 8 Electricity grid, source: [AESb]