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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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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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    Cited by:

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    3. Muh, Erasmus & Tabet, Fouzi, 2019. "Comparative analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid applications in Southern Cameroons," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 41-54.
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    7. Guefano, Serge & Tamba, Jean Gaston & Azong, Tchitile Emmanuel Wilfried & Monkam, Louis, 2021. "Forecast of electricity consumption in the Cameroonian residential sector by Grey and vector autoregressive models," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    8. Safder, Usman & Hai, Tra Nguyen & Loy-Benitez, Jorge & Yoo, ChangKyoo, 2022. "Nationwide policymaking strategies to prevent future electricity crises in developing countries using data-driven forecasting and fuzzy-SWOT analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    9. 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.

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