Cameroon: studies launched for the Mbakaou hydroelectric plant in the septentrion, with a projected output of 250 to 300MW

It comes at a time when the country is going through an unprecedented energy crisis, with the government looking for ways to improve energy supply. The study should be completed by the end of 2024, so that the project can take effect at the beginning of January 2025.

It’s done the contract for the launch of the feasibility study for a new hydroelectric dam with a foothold plant that will generate between 250 and 300MW at Mbakaou, in the Djerem department, Adamaoua region in northern Cameroon, was signed this Wednesday, July 17, 2024, between the Managing Director of Electricity Development Corporation (EDC), Dr Théodore Nsangou, and the representative of the French engineering firm ISL, Thomas Barbat. The agreement covers technical, environmental, social and financial studies.

The Managing Director pointed out that the government’s objective is to achieve 5000MW of energy supply by 2030, in line with the SND-30 development strategy.

“Our country is going through an unprecedented energy crisis, and the government is looking for every way and means to improve the energy supply. The Mbakaou foothold plant is one such project, strategically located near Tibati to link the north and south of the country.

Dr Théodore Nsangou points out that this project is much easier to manage from an environmental point of view:

“The Mbakaou dam had already been built. It’s a foothold plant that’s much easier to manage and can generate between 250 and 300 MW, depending on the studies we carry out, explains the EDC CEO.

Export of electricity to neighboring Chad, up to around 100MW

Targeting the northern regions, in particular the interconnection between the northern and southern grids, and the eventual export of power to neighboring Chad, this new dam project is an innovative initiative that will increase the energy supply throughout the country. It is expected to contribute to the development and supply of electrical energy in the northern regions of Cameroon, and to export up to 100MW of electricity to neighboring Chad.

In addition to creating jobs, the Mbakaou power plant project will ultimately reduce the region’s dependence on the Lagdo dam, which no longer meets the region’s growing energy needs.

Priority investment plan for 2025-2027

The site of the new project, which lies downstream of the existing Mbakaou reservoir dam granted to EDC by the government, has a number of advantages, including its proximity to the transformer station planned as part of the RIS-RIN connection led by Sonatrel, and the existence of an upstream reservoir dam. This project represents a major investment for Cameroon. The study should be completed by the end of 2024, so that the project can take effect at the beginning of January 2025. The construction of this new dam, already included in the government’s priority investment plan via the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development for the period 2025-2027, is a new challenge for EDC, following on from the Lom Pangar and Memve’ele hydroelectric projects.