Energy ministry to fine-tune electricity power distribution system

The Cameroonian Minister of energy and water, Basile Atangana Kouna, presided over a meeting with the different operators and stakeholders in the electricity sector in Cameroon (EDC, ARSEL, Eneo, EDF, AER).

Also in attendance were donors such as ADB and the World Bank, to discuss the modalities for the establishment of a transport network manager in the electricity sector in Cameroon. The meeting took place on the 8th and 9th October 2014 in Yaoundé.

During the discussions, participants made recommendations to be considered by the Cameroonian Government, including the institutional architecture, organization, operation and the systems, which must be 100% publicly owned, according to the 2011 Act, governing the electricity sector in Cameroon.

The future public company, which in itself is the emanation of the Act, should, according to experts, manage more effectively the network transmission of electricity in the country, including the current state which causes significant adverse loss both to the single operator (Eneo), to companies and to households.

Indeed, according to a study by the Agency for regulating the electricity sector (Arsel), approximately 6.5% of the energy produced in Cameroon is lost in the process of transmission, while 29% evaporates in circuits of distribution through multifaceted fraudulent activities. The quality of equipment used is also a contributing factor.

According to the DG of the Arsel, Jean Pierre Kédi, who was speaking in May 2013 during a press conference organized by the Africa-France Association, Cameroon could save up to 30% of the energy consumed.