Hydropower gets a positive signal in Cameroon

From the newsletter

A 500-MW Cameroonian hydropower plant has received approval to occupy 527 hectares of land for the construction of a dam and associated infrastructure. This resolves one of the most pressing issues typically stalling major hydro projects in Africa. Governments struggle to acquire or requisition enough land for dams.

• Hydropower could potentially meet Africa's current electricity needs, yet it remains largely untapped, with only about 10% of its potential exploited.

• Land acquisition for large-scale hydropower projects remains the biggest bottleneck in scaling them. Often, local communities are displaced, leading to conflicts. For instance, DR Congo’s Grand Inga Dam and Kenya’s Itare Dam stalled due to these land challenges.

More details

• KHPC plans financial close by 2026, with main construction from 2026 through 2029. Preliminary construction works (access roads, transmission path, exploratory drilling) may start as early as late 2025. First, electricity is targeted for around 2030.

• The Kikot-Mbébé facility will be located in the Nyanon district of the Sanaga-Maritime division. The project includes a 35-meter-high, 1,200-meter-long reservoir dam and a power plant equipped with six Kaplan turbines, each generating 83.3 MW. A 40 km, 400 kV transmission line will connect the plant to the Boumnyebel substation, integrating the generated power into Cameroon’s national grid.

• Post-commissioning, the 500 MW output will increase Cameroon’s installed hydropower capacity by over 60%, reducing reliance on costly thermal plants and lowering electricity tariffs. This aligns with the government’s goal to boost electrification rates from 65% to 90% by 2035.

• As the largest low-carbon infrastructure in Central Africa, the Kikot-Mbébé project also positions Cameroon as a potential energy exporter to neighbouring countries like Nigeria and Chad. The Sanaga River’s untapped potential of 4,200 MW in large-scale projects and 1,800 MW in smaller installations could transform the region’s energy dynamics if developed cohesively. It will also improve power security in the Sanaga cascade, smoothing flows for downstream dams.

• Historically, big hydro projects have always faced challenges in construction in African nations. However, countries like Ethiopia with the GERD Dam and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere hydro plant have created better policies that make land acquisition easy for such projects through their governments.

• Beyond these, the Renewables Rising projects database predicts a bright trajectory for hydropower in Africa. The sector still attracts big investments for mega projects.At least 5,000 MW of hydro projects are under development. These include the Mpatamanga hydropower plant in Malawi and Ethiopia’s Koysha Hydropower Dam, among others.

• However, like other African nations, Cameroon’s transmission infrastructure, managed by the National Electricity Transport Company, requires upgrades to handle the influx of 500 MW. The World Bank’s technical assistance project has laid the groundwork for grid optimisation, but sustained investment is critical to avoid bottlenecks.

Our take

• First, streamlining land acquisition processes with transparent, fair compensation is essential to prevent delays and community conflicts that have stalled other African hydropower projects.

• Next, Cameroon must prioritise upgrading and modernising its transmission infrastructure to efficiently integrate new capacity and reduce grid losses, ensuring generated power reaches consumers reliably.

• Finally, leveraging EDF’s technical expertise and international financing, alongside strong government commitment, will be key to maintaining project momentum and meeting the 2030 commissioning target. This approach will accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition.