Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daniel D
Published on 2024-02-23 11:41:27
Cameroon’s Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, has made a firm commitment to end load shedding in the country by March, ensuring a consistent and stable power supply. This pledge was made during a meeting with the Cameroon Employers Union, GECAM, on February 22 in Douala, where the minister addressed concerns about recent electricity supply disruptions affecting businesses in Douala and Yaounde.
The meeting, focused on transparency, was called in response to ongoing electricity supply issues caused by a 150-megawatt loss at the Memve’éle hydroelectric power plant due to decreased water levels. The plant, which generates 211 megawatts annually, is expected to resolve the issue by 2025. Despite Cameroon’s considerable hydropower potential of about 115,000 GWh/year, only 4% has been developed, with reliance on three main power plants—Edea, Songloulou, and Lagdo—while others are still under construction.
Minister Eloundou Essomba’s commitment to both the quantity and quality of electricity supply aligns with the upcoming release of the first 60 megawatts from the recently completed Nachtigal Dam on February 24, 2024.
This assurance comes as the government plans to regain ownership of its electricity sector, which was privatized in 2001 under the IMF structural adjustment program. Actis, the British investment fund holding a 51% stake in ENEO, has indicated willingness to sell its shares to the Cameroon government. The government, currently owning 44% of ENEO shares, aims to regain full ownership of the electricity utility company by the end of 2024.
However, as the takeover approaches, it is important to note that the government and state agencies still owe ENEO 266 billion FCFA in unpaid bills. Questions have been raised about how the government’s status as a major shareholder will affect ENEO’s operations.
During the energy minister’s address to GECAM, a temporary blackout occurred, attributed to a technical fault by ENEO resulting in staff cutting off the power. Despite the minister’s assurances, some residents in Douala reported remaining without electricity. The negative impacts of the current load shedding are particularly felt in the South Interconnected Network.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
