Development of the energy policy and the master plan for the production and transport of electricity by 2035 in Central Africa

Central Africa is the region of the African continent where electricity connections between countries are the least developed, despite its vast potential in hydroelectricity and oil resources. The high density of the hydraulic network generates significant hydroelectric potential, accounting for 60% of the African continent’s total potential. However, the current electricity supply within the CEMAC region is very low, standing at just 1,513 MW, of which 1,009 MW is from hydroelectric sources. The electricity access rate is one of the lowest in the world, with less than 17% of the CEMAC population having access to electricity.

CEMAC has committed to pursuing economic emergence, guided by the CEMAC Vision 2025. This vision is anchored in a Regional Economic Program (PER) aimed at creating a competitive regional environment to attract substantial private investment in growth-promoting sectors. The three selected growth pillars are: (i) energy, (ii) agriculture and forestry, and (iii) mining and metallurgy. The development of the energy sector is a top priority within the Regional Economic Program (PER), encapsulated in the initiative “CEMAC Energy Power.”

As part of the technical assistance mandate entrusted to us by the CEMAC Commission, in coordination with ECCAS and the Central African Power Pool (PEAC), we have undertaken the following activities for the 6 CEMAC countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad) along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sao Tome and Principe:

• Data Collection and Sector Analysis: We gathered comprehensive data and information on the energy sector in Central Africa, establishing the most complete and reliable inventory and diagnosis possible, while assessing the medium and long-term development prospects of the sector.
• Barrier Identification and Strategy Development: We identified barriers to the development of access to energy services and proposed strategies to overcome these obstacles. This included aligning ongoing regional developments with the objectives and strategies of the Regional Energy Policy.
• Development of the Electricity Production and Transmission Master Plan: We created a master plan for electricity production and transmission for CEMAC and the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting the years 2025 and 2035. This involved demand analysis and forecasting, identifying candidate power plants, analyzing the lowest-cost production plan, and pinpointing transmission line projects. Additionally, we conducted studies on the transmission network, assessed needs for information systems and dispatching centers, performed economic and financial analyses, evaluated the environmental impact of projects, and analyzed the operating modes and status of existing structures.

The provisional versions of the Regional Policy document and the Electricity Production/Transmission Master Plan for 2035 were presented to national and regional authorities during a validation workshop before finalization.