ENEO says invested 400 billion FCFA in 10 years to modernise electricity sector.

Ludiye said the money, spent between 2014 and 2024, has been invested to secure and modernise key hydroelectrical structures, renew equipment in thermal power plants, and introduce solar as well as other renewable energy sources.

According to the ENEO GM, half of the amount was directed to the modernisation and extension of the distribution network to improve service quality, reduce response time in case of incidents, and boost access to electricity.

He said thanks to the investment, some 1.2 million new households have been connected to the ENO grid, moving the electricity access rate from 56 percent to 75 percent nationwide.

As a key actor in the electricity sector and intervening in the generation, distribution and commercial segments, Ludiye said ENEO has a power generation capacity of 1,011 Megawatts, which represents 58% of the country’s 1,800 Megawatts installed capacity.

He said there is a distribution network of 36,000 kilometer of medium voltage and low voltage lines, thanks to its investments over the past ten years. 

The General Manager also revealed that 2,190,000, households and companies are connected to its network as at December 2024, with over 840,000 being prepaid customers.

He added that since 2023, over 85% of its new connections are prepaid, with the underlying goal of empowering customers, sparing them the shortcomings related with postpaid use.

To support wider availability of electricity, the GM said ENEO made huge investments in its generation facilities notably major dams like Songloulou, Edea and Lagdo. 

The investments, he said, were to extend the lifespan and optimise the output of the plants. He also talked of the installation of   large solar power plants in the northern regions.

Fresh investments 

Ludiye further disclosed that ENEO is constructing new remote power plants, building capacity and extending the network to improve service in some off-grid localities in the North West and South West Regions. He said areas of focus include Nguti, Mamfe, Mundemba and Bamenda.

With regards to electricity access, the General Manager said ENEO largely exceeds its regulatory objectives year in year out. 

He added that the company would have performed even better if not of financial constraints, limited number of meters and other accessories that cause execution delays.

According to ENEO, asides the FCFA 400 billion invested, some investments are still to be validated by the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency, ARSEL. 

He said ENEO has requested technical expertise from the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris to ensure that some of its investments are recognised.

Challenges encountered

The ENEO boss revealed that the investments were made in a challenging financial situation caused by the cash crisis it is experiencing. Without such constraints, he said more would have been achieved to improve service quality. 

He also said the company is being owed huge amounts of money by State entities and other major customers thus affecting its capacity to pay other actors and vendors, as well as its capacity to invest. 

Another challenge the institution is encountering, Ludiye said, is its dependency on thermal power plants which makes it vulnerable to supply difficulties as well as delays in projects.

He mentioned the Nachtigal Hydroelectrical Power Plant, which he said, forced ENEO to increase its fuel consumption. 

According to the GM, the security crises in the North West and South West Regions has affected ENEO operations, notably infrastructure maintenance and electricity distribution.

Assures public of better service 

The General Manager of ENEO said service quality will continue to be improved upon. He stressed that ENEO will work on stepping up its communication so as to keep its clients informed especially during periods of power shortages. 

On her part, the Regional Director of ENEO Yaounde, Eyinga epse Mboa Ernestine, reiterated that together with its partners and collaborators, the company remains committed to providing high quality services to the satisfaction of clients.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3388 of Monday March 10, 2025