In the early hours of the day, Sandrine Nguele, a senior nurse, attends to patients at the medical center in Batchenga. This village, located about an hour and a half from Yaoundé, Cameroon, has been connected to the grid since October. The energy comes from the Nachtigal Hydro Power Plant.
“When the hospital was without electricity, it was not well attended; we could go three days without patients,” Nguele stated. “Since we have been connected to electricity, we have seen an increase in attendance and revenue. People no longer need to go to the district hospital located 20km from here to have their test and other exams done.”
Cameroon faces significant challenges regarding power access. Despite government subsidies and substantial hydropower potential, only 71% of its population has electricity access. In rural areas, 75% remain without power despite proximity to the grid. Affordable and reliable energy is crucial for hospitals and businesses alike. The high cost of electricity remains a barrier for many entrepreneurs.
The Nachtigal Hydropower plant's completion is pivotal for Cameroon. With 360MW added from six out of seven turbines by mid-January 2025, it will contribute nearly 30% renewable energy to the country's mix. This marks the first phase of sustainable hydropower development on the Sanaga River.
This project was made possible through $1 billion in private capital with guarantees from entities like the World Bank and MIGA. The IFC also participated alongside other financial institutions such as the African Development Bank.
The Cameroonian government aims to expand electricity access, boost renewable energy use, enhance power generation, and strengthen transmission capacity as demand is expected to quadruple by 2035. Central to this plan is completing Nachtigal Hydropower Plant. Recent developments include finishing Nyom II substation and associated transmission lines needed for energy evacuation from Nachtigal.
Batchenga’s medical center exemplifies electrification efforts' reach; over 140,000 households in rural Center region gained reliable electricity last year through grid extensions and solar PV installations replacing diesel-based generation.
Cameroon is focusing on renewable energy to reduce costs and carbon emissions by substituting diesel-based grids with cleaner options like solar PV development targeting a 250MW capacity. Expansions are underway at Maroua and Guider solar plants with innovative solutions supporting growing demand.
From Batchenga's medical center to Nachtigal's hydropower project, Cameroon joins Mission 300 aiming for broader African electrification by 2030 through extending grids or cutting emissions via renewables—steps toward a sustainable future.