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Sustainable energy policies in Cameroon: A holistic overview

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  • Muh, Erasmus
  • Amara, Sofiane
  • Tabet, Fouzi

Abstract

Cameroon has an abundant reserve of energy resources, such as crude oil, natural gas, hydropower, biomass, solar, wind and geothermal energies. However, these resources are still weakly valorised. The country relies mainly on hydropower energy for electricity generation (73%) with persistent power outages throughout the country especially in the dry seasons when water levels are low. Electricity access is about 65–88% in urban areas and around 14% for rural populations. Cameroon has experienced a strong economic growth (growth rate of 5.9% in 2015), accompanied by a rapid increase in electricity demand (1455MW in 2014). Electricity needs are expected to continue rising over the next decade to reach 5000MW by 2020 and 6000MW by 2030. This paper seeks to address energy issues (reliability, accessibility and security) in Cameroon and brings to light the potential and meaningful contributions of renewables in solving energy concern. In order to achieve this objective, an overview, of the energy sector (energy source, access, demand, supply and distribution) is given followed by a review of renewable energy potential, policy, benefits and barriers. In addition, this paper introduces the energy roadmap to achieve a universal access to electricity, which will pave the way for the country emergence by 2035. It is found that energy sector of Cameroon holds promising possibilities of development and diversification given the country's energy potential. With adequate policy, standards, regulations, awareness, capacity building and off-grid renewable energy investments measures, it is possible for Cameroon to meet the future energy targets and ensure meaningful development throughout the country.

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  • Muh, Erasmus & Amara, Sofiane & Tabet, Fouzi, 2018. "Sustainable energy policies in Cameroon: A holistic overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3420-3429.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:82:y:2018:i:p3:p:3420-3429
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.10.049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abubakar Mas’ud, Abdullahi & Wirba, Asan Vernyuy & Muhammad-Sukki, Firdaus & Albarracín, Ricardo & Abu-Bakar, Siti Hawa & Munir, Abu Bakar & Bani, Nurul Aini, 2016. "A review on the recent progress made on solar photovoltaic in selected countries of sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 441-452.
    2. Wirba, Asan Vernyuy & Abubakar Mas'ud, Abdullahi & Muhammad-Sukki, Firdaus & Ahmad, Salman & Mat Tahar, Razman & Abdul Rahim, Ruzairi & Munir, Abu Bakar & Karim, Md Ershadul, 2015. "Renewable energy potentials in Cameroon: Prospects and challenges," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 560-565.
    3. Tamo Tatietse Thomas & Kemajou Alexis & Diboma Benjamin Salomon, 2010. "Electricity Self-Generation Costs for Industrial Companies in Cameroon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 3(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    5. Mas’ud, Abdullahi Abubakar & Vernyuy Wirba, Asan & Muhammad-Sukki, Firdaus & Mas’ud, Ibrahim Abubakar & Munir, Abu Bakar & Md Yunus, Norhidayah, 2015. "An assessment of renewable energy readiness in Africa: Case study of Nigeria and Cameroon," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 775-784.
    6. Modeste, Kameni Nematchoua & Mempouo, Blaise & René, Tchinda & Costa, Ángel M. & Orosa, José A. & Raminosoa, Chrysostôme R.R. & Mamiharijaona, Ramaroson, 2015. "Resource potential and energy efficiency in the buildings of Cameroon: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 835-846.
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    4. Tiam Kapen, Pascalin & Jeutho Gouajio, Marinette & Yemélé, David, 2020. "Analysis and efficient comparison of ten numerical methods in estimating Weibull parameters for wind energy potential: Application to the city of Bafoussam, Cameroon," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 1188-1198.
    5. Kenfack, Joseph & Nzotcha, Urbain & Voufo, Joseph & Ngohe-Ekam, Paul Salomon & Nsangou, Jean Calvin & Bignom, Blaise, 2021. "Cameroon's hydropower potential and development under the vision of Central Africa power pool (CAPP): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
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