In 2023, electricity consumption in Cameroon consisted of almost two-thirds low-carbon sources, primarily hydropower, which contributed approximately 5.3 TWh. Fossil energy sources made up a smaller share, at around 3 TWh, with gas accounting for nearly 2 TWh of this. When translating these figures to a per capita basis, the country's electricity consumption was approximately 296 kWh/person, significantly below the global average of 3649 kWh/person. This noticeable gap indicates potential challenges such as limited access to reliable power, impacting economic activities and quality of life. The reliance on fossil fuels, though smaller than low-carbon contributions, could also pose environmental risks, emphasizing the need to transition towards more sustainable and clean energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Cameroon?
The trend in electricity use in Cameroon shows a concerning decrease rather than growth. The 2023 consumption numbers reflect a drop of 56 kWh/person compared to the peak in 2015, and a decline in low-carbon electricity consumption by 71 kWh/person compared to its highest point in 2006. This setback highlights stagnation in expanding energy capacity and modernizing infrastructure. The decline, especially in clean energy use, is worrying at a time when the global focus is on increasing electricity generation sustainably to support development and the broader shift towards electrification. Encouraging the growth of a diverse low-carbon portfolio is crucial for meeting current and future energy demands sustainably.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Cameroon can draw lessons from regions with successful clean energy implementations. For instance, the solar developments in China and India, with more than 1100 TWh and 157 TWh respectively, underscore the significant potential of solar energy in bright, sunny regions. While solar power can take advantage of Cameroon’s ample sunlight, nuclear energy, as reliably utilized in France (369 TWh) and the United States (781 TWh), can provide a stable, round-the-clock power supply that complements variable sources like solar and wind. By leveraging technology and investing in these clean energy types, Cameroon could significantly boost its low-carbon electricity generation, reducing its reliance on harmful fossil fuels and fostering sustainable growth.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Cameroon has seen only modest changes over the decades. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, hydropower experienced small, incremental increases, evidenced by several years of 0.2 TWh growth. However, there were also years of stagnation or minor decline, such as in 2002 and 2005. Significant progress appeared around 2006 with a short-lived spike in biofuels, though this was followed by a sharp decline just a year later. The late 2000s and 2010s brought occasional gains in hydropower, notably a 0.7 TWh increase in 2017. As of 2021, hydropower saw a modest decrease again. This historical pattern indicates a lack of sustained and robust growth in low-carbon energy, underscoring the need for more consistent investment and development in green electricity infrastructure going forward.
