The countries of the Central African sub-region are committed to working together to facilitate the emergence of a regional market in energy by 2020. This commitment was taken during an international forum that took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon in April 2011. Attended by almost 1,500 Central African and international delegates.

The Central African sub-region has one of the largest potential energy resources in Africa in the field of hydroelectricity, oil, and renewable energy such as solar and wind power. This applies mainly to Gabon, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Equatorial Guinea in the field of hydrocarbons.

But this potential is poorly exploited while access indicators are very low, which explains today's recurring deficits.

Better service needed

The quality of service is characterized by recurrent power cuts, bad for the economy and the well-being of citizens. Despite the presence of many institutions, Central Africa remains the only region on the continent that has no platform for discussion and exchange of experiences. In addition to that, it's also the only region that has not developed electrical interconnectivity, with neighboring countries.

It should be noted that the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) brings together more than 100 million people in 11 countries creating a large market for electricity. Emile Opangault, technical adviser of the National Company of Electricity of the Republic of the Congo, said that cheap energy is needed to help boost the region's economy, along with the energy of people.

"The environment in which we live requires the use of hydropower, which is the most durable [source of energy]. However it is an expensive operation with a lengthy construction period," said Opangault. "By comparison, energy gas is not too expensive but its operation is slightly costly. A combination of these two types of energy would be good for the sub-region," he said.

Dudley Ashu Sama, technical adviser in the Ministry of Energy and Water of Cameroon, was upbeat about the gathering and its benefits. "This forum sends a strong message about improving the business environment in the sub-region," he said.

Chinese help

Aware of the delays in setting up projects, some measures are being taken by ECCAS, with member states to increase their production of electrical energy.

The Republic of the Congo recently opened the Imboulou dam with a capacity of 120 megawatts (MW).

AFP reported that project official Jean-Jacques Bouya said during a ceremony that China met 85 percent of the dam's cost with the remainder coming from the Congo.

Around 170 billion CFA francs ($370 million) went into its construction, undertaken by a team of 2,000 Congolese workers, 600 Chinese and 23 Germans, said Bouya.

The new dam will reduce the shortage of electricity that disrupts numerous activities in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo's capital.

In neighboring Cameroon, the local Star newspaper reports that the Export-Import Bank of China has granted the government of Cameroon a credit line of 243 billion CFA francs ($540 million) for the construction of the Memvele Hydroelectricity Dam in the Ntem River of South Region of Cameroon.

With construction expected to be completed in 2016, the loan would help the country narrow its electricity capacity deficit as well as increase electricity production capacity which is now estimated to be 1,000 MW per hour.

Cameroon and Congo also intend to construct a dam of great production capacity on the border of both countries by 2013.

Commitment

The forum, organized by the electricity sector regulatory agency L'Agence de Régulation du Secteur de l'Electricité (ARSEL) of Cameroon, concluded with Central African countries deciding to create a platform for dialogue and exchange between role players in the region's electricity sector.

They will also focus on promotion and development of a labor market for professionals in the sector, the emergence of new operators, the development of renewable sources of energy, changes in technologies, identification of environment measures, financing of the sector, and establishing a market for electricity. The forum sends a message that Central Africa is moving forward in terms of defining its strategic energy policy.

(Reporting from Cameroon)