When Cameroon turns sunlight into energy

It is a known fact: Cameroon has the 2nd highest hydroelectric potential in Africa behind the Democratic Republic of Congo. But Cameroon is also a very sunny country and therefore has equally impressive potential in solar energy, particularly in the northern region of the country.

Indeed, according to the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency’s (ARSEL) data, average insolation in the North is 5.8 KWh/m2/day compared to 4 KWh/m2/day in the South. “Therefore, Cameroon’s average insolation is 4.9KWh/m2,”ARSEL estimates.

In light of this, over the last few years, the Cameroonian government has been promoting the country’s solar potential. At the international forums attended by the Ministry of Energy, the search for partners interested in investing in this sector has become the order of the day.

The outcomes can already be felt due to the many memoranda of understanding signed between the government and investors from Africa, Europe, and Asia to develop projects in Cameroon.

On this quest for solar energy, importers, businessmen and even government authorities have not been left behind. Along with the solar lamps and panels that are springing up in cities and villages across the country, gradually helping to put in place a solid solar industry in Cameroon, more and more entities are making the switch to this renewable energy: city halls, State companies and so on.

In short, solar energy has become the solution for 15% of urban households as well as 70% of those in rural communities that have yet to enjoy electricity although its distribution, for those fortunate to have it, is problematic.

Cameroon’s current fiscal policy concerning equipment for solar energy does not seem to have taken into consideration the opportunities that this energy provides to the country’s overall energy policy.