Local Hydroelectric Power as Seedbeds for Supplementing Electricity Supply in the North West Region of Cameroon

Access to electricity in most developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a herculean task. However, the emergence of Local hydroelectric power (LHEP) is becoming popular and being embraced by a wide range of communities as a pre-solution to their energy issues. Although widely acknowledged as coming to the rescue of electricity disfavoured communities, this paper considers such initiatives as going far beyond mere energy supply schemes but standing out as seedbeds for supplementing electricity supply. This perception is challenged with evidences on the role and influence of this category of renewable energy schemes in energy supply. Then a demonstration is made of how local electricity systems are unavoidable recourse to by numerous households in classical energy redundant areas. It is, therefore argued that decentralized electricity systems serve as seedbeds for supplementing energy supply and sustaining it in marginalised energy supply communities, makes it a seedbed to electricity supply. Further academic attention is required to render such initiatives less risky and efficient by upgrading their performance with the required technological know-how and equipment.