To boost electricity access: EDC restates commitment to realise major projects.

That was during festivities to mark the 139th edition of the International Labour Day.

The GM said the corporation is focused on holding its place in the building of a better Cameroon, in line with the vision of the Head of State, President Paul Biya.

Dr Nsangou noted that among key projects which EDC is bent on realising this year, is the Mbakaou Dam project in the Djerem Division of the Adamawa Region; phase II of the Memve’ele Dam project in the South Region and the electrification of 150 localities in the East Region.  These projects, he said, are EDC’s priorities for 2025.

Through the projects, he underscored that the corporation will maintain pits lead role as a key lever in accelerating energy access and promoting national sustainable development.

By next year, he said, EDC will be clocking 20 years in driving Cameroon’s energy production and national development drive. 

He rallied staff to maintain the steam, so that come 2026, EDC would have more reasons to celebrate its milestone in contributing to national development.

Projects relevance 

Recall that it was on July 17, 2024, that Dr Nsangou, on behalf of EDC, signed a contract with French firm, ISL, for the Mbakaou Dam project. 

Based on the agreement, ISL was to conduct feasibilities studies for a 250 to 300 Mega Watts hydroelectric plant at the foot of the Mbakaou reservoir.

ISL is supposed to have completed financial, social and technical studies for the project as at the end of last year. 

The project is expected to integrate solar panels on the Mbakaou reservoir, to boost energy supply in the North, Adamawa and Far North Regions.

Upon realisation, the project is expected to strengthen the interconnection of the country's northern and southern grids, and potential electricity exports to neighboring Chad.

It is expected to, through the Chad-Cameroon Electrical Grid Interconnection Project (PIRECT), which has a transformer in Tibati, Adamawa Region, ease access to energy. 

Authorities had said the 100 Megawatts of electricity that Cameroon plans to export to Chad by 2027, could be from Mbakaou.

With challenges associated with the Lagdo Dam's production that sometimes suffer deficits, and constraints in Bini à Warak Dam project, EDC’s investment in the Mbakaou Dam project has been rated as being strategic. It is a scheme with potential to add stable, clean and affordable energy to the population.

For the Memeve’le Dam project, which has remained one of the cornerstones of government’s electricity sector vision, the announcement of works on Phase II is another major shift.

Located in the Nyabissan, Ntem Valley Division of the South Region, the expansion of the project holds huge potential to end energy deficit and further improve the country’s power needs.

Meanwhile, the project to electrify 150 communities in the East Region, is also another game changer in boosting lives at the grassroots level. 

The EDC boss had disclosed, when President Biya announced the project targeting to light 10,000 homes in the East Region, that the corporation remains committed to working with its partners to extend electricity.

Dr Nsangou had disclosed that the electrification project will be done through the construction of 438 kilometer of High Tension, HT, cable lines and 206 kilometer of Low Tension, LT, lines. 

The goal, he had revealed, is to electrify access to electricity with the support of partners such as the African Development Bank, AfDB, and the Development Bank of Central African States, BDEAC. 

The putting into service of the foot plant at the Lom Pangar Hydro-electric Dam helped in the reduction in cost of supplying light to some communities, through gas-powered plants, by halting the Central Thermal plant in Bertoua. 

It also diverted scarce resources to realise other major development projects. Completely executing it this year, officials are saying, would be a major boost to the general development of the East Region.

Uses Labour Day to laud staff’s dedication

Meanwhile, speaking during a reception offered staff to mark this year’s Labour Day, the EDC General Manager expressed delight in the commitment and unity among staff that has kept institution buoyant, even in the face of challenges.

Prior to feasting with staff at the EDC head office in Yaounde, Dr Nsangou had joined them in the march past exercise at the May 20 Boulevard.

He lauded the professionalism of workers, which he said has brought pride to EDC. To demonstrate the uniformity and unity among top management and staff, Dr Nsangou, like all workers, dressed in the company’s fabric.

As the staff marched past the May 20 Boulevard, members of government and other guests saluted the colourful showing of the corporation.

Others during the occasion lauded the resilience of EDC in improving the country’s energy capacity.

In the evening hours of the day, EDC management and staff shared a common meal together. At the same occasion, both staff and management renewed engagements to stay committed to serving the nation.

Dr Nsangou in his declarations during the reception, said he was proud of the calibre of staff the corporation boasts of. 

He reminded them of what EDC has been able to achieve, despite challenges, mobilising all to stay strong to deliver on other projects for the interest of the nation.