Cameroon Plans Two Large-Scale PV Plants

Cameroon is moving forward with plans for two large-scale solar photovoltaic projects with a combined planned capacity of 244 MW. The projects in Ntui and Banyo are still at an early development stage, but they show continued interest in expanding solar power capacity in the country.

Two Projects Under Development

The first project is a 200 MW solar PV plant in Ntui, in Cameroon's Centre Region. The project is being developed by WB Synergy SAS and TES Technologies SARL.

According to Cameroon's Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority (ARSEL), representatives of the regulator and the project developers met in Yaoundé on September 8 to discuss the project. The discussions covered technical, financial and legal aspects, including the proposed characteristics of the plant and conditions for connecting it to the electricity grid.

The second project is planned for Banyo in the Adamaoua Region, with a proposed capacity of 44 MW. The initiative is being developed by the Foundation for Development of Ecology & Humankind (FONDECOH), together with the Banyo municipality and partner company SUPERNOVA ENERGY.

The Banyo proposal is also notable because it includes energy storage capacity. ARSEL said the developers presented the technical features of the proposed system and received guidance on the technical, regulatory and institutional requirements for moving the project forward.

Projects Are Still at an Early Stage

The 244 MW figure represents the combined planned capacity, not operating solar capacity.

ARSEL's information indicates that both projects are still going through development and regulatory processes. For Ntui, discussions are focused on feasibility, financing, legal requirements and grid connection. For Banyo, the project is still being developed and requires further technical and regulatory work before implementation.

This distinction is important because large solar projects can take considerable time to move from an initial proposal to construction and commercial operation.

Solar Power and Energy Storage

The Banyo project also highlights the growing role of storage alongside solar generation. Solar PV production changes throughout the day, while electricity demand does not necessarily follow the same pattern. Battery storage can help make generated electricity available when solar production is lower.

For countries expanding renewable generation, the combination of solar power and storage can therefore become part of a broader approach to improving the availability and flexibility of electricity.

Cameroon already has utility-scale solar projects in operation. Scatec's Maroua and Guider projects, for example, were completed in 2023 with a combined 35.8 MW of solar capacity and 19 MWh of battery storage. The developer has also announced additional solar and storage capacity at the two sites.

What the Projects Could Mean for Cameroon's Solar Market

If developed as planned, the Ntui and Banyo projects would represent a significant addition to Cameroon's utility-scale solar pipeline. Their combined planned capacity of 244 MW is also close to the country's previously stated target of 250 MW of grid-connected solar capacity by the end of the decade.

For now, however, the projects should be viewed as developments in progress rather than completed solar plants. Further decisions on financing, technical design, regulatory approvals and implementation will determine how and when the projects move into construction.

Source: Cameroon Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority (ARSEL)