North, Far North: Energy minister launches second phase of Maroua, Guider solar projects.

The launching of the projects, which mark the country's energy transition, was in the presence of local authorities, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and partners of the project.

The project, the minister said, is backed by President Paul Biya’s vision and aims to accelerate access to sustainable electricity in the country's northern regions and push the country closer to universal energy access by 2030. 

According to the minister, the two plants, to be completed in September 2026, will inject an additional 30 megawatts into the national grid, strengthening supply in the Far North, North and Adamawa regions.

“This project attests to government’s determination to provide cleaner, more reliable and more accessible energy to our populations, especially in the northern regions,” Minister Essomba declared.

The expansion of solar generation in the Grand North is in line with President Paul Biya’s 2018 call in Maroua for a diversified energy mix. At the time, the Head of State had emphasised the need to complement aging hydroelectric dams with renewable sources like solar, to secure reliable electricity for households and industries.

Energy experts have noted that the new projects also reflect government’s commitment to global climate goals, with solar generation offering a faster and cheaper deployment model than large dams. 

Since 2022, the first phase of the project – Maroua I and Guider I – has been operational, supplying a combined capacity of 36 megawatts. Implemented by Eneo Cameroon in partnership with Release By Scatec, the plants have already helped stabilise electricity supply in the Grand North, long plagued by recurrent outages linked to the Lagdo hydroelectric dam’s vulnerability to climate change.

The second phase will almost double output. Eneo’s General Manager, Ammine Homman Ludiye, noted that Maroua II and Guider II will provide about 62.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh), annually, supported by 19.2 megawatt-hours (MWh) of storage capacity.

“This is not just about megawatts. It is about schools operating with fewer interruptions, health centres better supplied, and local companies that can run without fear of long outages,” Ludiye said. 

He added that the projects will prevent the release of 37,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, positioning Cameroon as a regional leader in renewable energy adoption.

On his part, Hans Olav Kvalvaag, CEO of Release By Scatec, insisted that the partnership with Eneo is proof that public–private collaboration can accelerate access to reliable electricity in Africa.

“Phase II adds 28.6 MW of solar and 19.2 MWh of storage, bringing our total installed capacity in Cameroon to 64.4 MW of solar and 38.2 MWh of storage,” he revealed. 

“That is enough to supply clean energy to about 200,000 households and produce 141.5 GWh per year,” Kvalvaag added. 

Kvalvaag stressed that construction will rely heavily on local labour, equipment and service providers, ensuring that the project also delivers direct economic benefits.

Community impact

Aside electricity, Eneo and Release By Scatec say they are committed to community development projects in Maroua and Guider. These include boreholes for potable water, youth employment schemes, training for engineers and technicians, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

During Phase I, over 100 young people were employed on worksites, many of them fresh graduates from local universities such as the Higher National Polytechnic of Maroua. Phase II is expected to generate even more opportunities.

The Eneo General Manager highlighted that between 2023 and 2025, 38,000 new households were connected to the grid in the northern regions, directly impacting over 418,000 people. 

Eneo, he said, has also invested in new substations, replaced faulty transformers and wooden poles, and digitalised customer services.

“These are not just statistics. They mean fewer outages, better quality of power, and greater comfort for families and competitiveness for industries,” he said. 

Securing the future

The Grand North’s electricity supply remains heavily dependent on the Lagdo dam, whose output fluctuates with rainfall. Each dry season brings risks of power cuts, affecting livelihoods and slowing economic activity.

By adding solar and storage capacity, the Maroua and Guider projects are expected to secure the North Interconnected Grid, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and support industrialisation in sectors like food processing and agro-industry.

Experts say reliable electricity will enable youths to venture into entrepreneurship, encourage local companies to grow, and allow councils to better deliver public services. 

As the first panels for Phase II are installed, both stakeholders insist that the project goes beyond energy. It symbolises a citizen-oriented transition, one that brings light to homes, power to industries, and hope for sustainable development in the Grand North.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3567 of Wednesday September 17, 2025