- Persistent power outages in Cameroon drive Release by Scatec’s expansion of solar operations in Maroua and Guider.
- Planned additions include 28.6 MWp of solar power and 19.2 MWh of battery storage to enhance energy stability.
- Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba praises the project for cutting government fuel costs and benefiting local communities.
Persistent power outages continue to disrupt economic activities in Cameroon, prompting Norwegian company Release by Scatec to take action. Almost a year after its launch, the firm has gained approval from Cameroonian authorities and utility Eneo to expand its solar power operations in Maroua and Guider.
The expansion project aims to increase electricity production capacity, with Release by Scatec planning to add 28.6 MWp of solar power generation and 19.2 MWh of battery storage across both sites. This initiative aims to enhance energy supply stability in northern Cameroon, reduce reliance on costly diesel fuel, and alleviate frequent blackouts.
Cameroon’s Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, highlighted the positive impact of the Release by Scatec solar plants on local communities, noting their role in cutting government fuel costs. With the expansion, the combined capacity of the Maroua and Guider plants will rise to 64.4 MWp of solar power and 38.2 MWh of battery storage, potentially serving about 200,000 households and producing an estimated 141.5 GWh of electricity annually.
Scatec’s CEO, Hans Olav Kvalvaag, released a statement expressing confidence in securing funding for the project, citing a recent $102 million equity financing boost from Climate Fund Managers. The initial investment of 17 billion CFA francs, supported by partners Izuba Energy and Sphinx Energy, underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable energy development.
Since their September 2023 launch, the Maroua and Guider solar plants have strengthened local power infrastructure and received crucial financial backing for their expansion efforts.