Country aims to cut dependence on hydropower amid erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts linked to climate change
Yaounde — Before the University of Yaounde 1 got its solar micro-grid in 2018, erratic power supplies in Cameroon’s capital meant Adamu Gilbert could not stock the fresh, chilled items he knew his customers wanted when they came to his shop near campus.
But in recent years, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts linked to climate change have hit the county's hydroelectric dams, leading to blackouts and power rationing that almost daily plunge parts of the country into darkness. “The incentives will not only help the country meet its development challenges, but also help in the fight against climate change,” he said.
Cameroon wants to electrify more of the country and increase its grid capacity from 1,500MW to 5,000MW by 2030. Eugene Ngueha, technical director of Energy of Cameroon, the country’s main electricity supplier, said the partially state-owned company is already taking advantage of the tax cuts to construct two solar power plants in Maroua and Guider, in the country's electricity-hungry north.