Electricity interconnection between Cameroon & Chad to begin soon.

The energy minister was speaking in one of the main halls of the Autonomous Sinking Fund, CAA, in Yaounde Monday, November 20. This was as he presided over the first session of PIRECT, convened in prelude to the launching of works on the project. 

Minister Eloundou Essomba intimated that the project had as vision-bearers the President of Cameroon, H.E Paul Biya, and his Chadian counterpart, who saw the need to reduce the amount of money citizens of the two countries pay in order to get electricity, either for industrial purposes or for domestic use.

Apart from the reduction of energy cost, the two leaders also envisaged that the completion of such a project could boost the integration of populations of the two countries, as well as step up trade across the frontiers.

Even more, the connection of electricity between the two countries, Yaounde and N’Djamena hope, would encourage other member countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, to join the electricity interconnection process. 

The Minister put what it will cost Cameroon to carry the project through to term at some 784 million United States Dollars, USD. With the African Development Bank, AfDB, being the sole guarantor of the funds. 

The continental bank will also assist in the construction of a 566 km aerial line transporting 225 KV from Wouro Soua in Chad, passing through Garoua, Maroua and Kousseri, to the deep seaport town of Kribi; covering a total distance of 804 km in Cameroonian soil.

Not fewer than 10 sub stations will be built along this stretch of road, the President of the Pilot Committee, Serge Bekono, told the press. The representative of the Energy Minister of Chad said he was sent as a representative because his Minister was not available.

PIRECT Coordinator, Serge Bekono, clarifying press on mission assignment

Boosting integration efforts

He also reiterated the fact that the project would boost the integration efforts of not only Cameroon and his country, but also of other CEMAC member countries.

He recalled what the Chadian government’s representative described as the magnificent Chad-Cameroon pipeline project that was built in the same spirit that is now guiding the PIRECT project. 

He accepted that Chad is presently in dire need of energy and how the delivery of additional 100 MGW from the PIRECT project would greatly improve the energy situation in the neughbouring country. 

This is more so as the Nachtigal project, from where the transmission line will take off, has potentials of which only 5% is being used by Cameroon.

But he went further to asset that the northern part of Chad has huge solar energy potential. Therefore, the government of N’Djamena is seeking ways of exploiting the solar power so that N´Djamena could share the energy with Cameroon as the first priority, but thereafter, share with other CEMAC member countries.

The Chadian top official concluded by stating that the Heads of State of the two countries want to see the PIRECT project put on the rails as soon as possible. 

He then urged members of the pilot committee to take their assignment seriously so as to make this dream come true for the benefit of citizens of the two countries; and why not, with time, all peoples of the CEMAC sub region.