Prospect of renewable energy based power systems in Africa (Cameroon-Djibouti-Somalia)

Abstract

Cameroon has vast renewable energy resource potentials, with a hydropower potential of about 55,200MW, second only to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. So far, its energy needs are met by 4.8% hydropower (which accounts for less than 5% of its total hydropower potential), 0% wind and 0% solar. Cameroons’ energy sector still goes through insufficient electrical energy production, especially during the heart of the dry season, which runs from December through March. Coincidentally, the wind and solar power potentials for Cameroon are at their peak during these months and could conveniently supplement for the shortfalls in generation during these periods. In this research, technical analysis was carried out to determine the wind and solar energy resource potentials for Cameroon using the Homer Pro software tool provided by CANMET Canada. This analysis revealed that the northern regions of Cameroon had higher wind and solar resource potentials than any other location in Cameroon. A 2MW installed wind energy capacity would be capable of generating well over 1.5GWh electrical energy per year, while a 2KW installed solar energy capacity will be capable of generating well over 3MWh electrical energy per year. In the final sections, financial analysis was carried out to determine the economic viability of such projects and the possibility for self-financing. Emission analyses were also done based on the ability for such projects to offset greenhouse gas emissions and ensure sustainability in the energy sector. The analysis for Maroua revealed that 78.6tCO2/yr. for wind and 0.1tCO2/yr. for solar could be reduced by those installations. Finally, the legislations and legal frameworks governing the energy sector in Cameroon were dissected to determine possible weaknesses and constraints limiting the use, promotion and development of the full potential of Cameroon’s renewable energy resources. From the weather data recorded on the site of Dogba-Maroua over a period of 12 months (April 2015 to April 2016), a design engineering of a wind park of 30 KW in the region of 11 the far-north of Cameroun was carried out. The analytical study of wind parameters (speeds, directions, turbulences intensities) was made with the Homer Pro software. The study undertaken with the wind-generator of the Alstom ECO 100/3000 Class I, having a power of 3000 kW, 100 m diameter of rotor reveals an annual energy production of 22 699,5 MWh / year the directions where the wind blows are more recorded in sectors 30°NNE, 60°NE, 0°N and 90°E and are opposed to the directions where the flow winds are most turbulent (330° NNW, 0° N, 30° NNE, 60°).