Setting the Pace for a Sustainable Energy Transition in Central Africa: The Case of Cameroon

Nelson Bunyui Manjong,Ayobami Solomon Oyewo,Christian Breyer

doi:10.1109/access.2021.3121000

Nelson Bunyui Manjong, Ayobami Solomon Oyewo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3121000

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Journal: IEEE Access	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2021
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology

Abstract

Sustainable energy systems form an indispensable component of sustainable development especially in developing economies. Understanding the system wide techno-economics of sustainable energy systems therefore becomes critical in shaping the energy system mix within a region or country. This paper explores progressive and optimal pathways towards a fully sustainable energy system for Cameroon by 2050 in power, heat, and transport sectors as a representative case study for the Central Africa region. Six key scenarios are modelled with the LUT Energy System Transition Model to capture key policy and sustainability constraints. Results from the study show that, the optimal least cost technology combination for a fully sustainable energy system for Cameroon with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 is dominated by solar PV (86%), complemented by hydropower (8%) and bioenergy (5%). These results show that a fully sustainable energy system for Cameroon is feasible from both the technical and economic perspectives, if policy commitment is oriented towards these low-cost energy solutions. The results of this research provide a reliable reference for planning transitions towards a 100% renewable energy-based energy system in countries within the Central Africa region.

Highlights

The 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement projects a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 and emphasizes on the need for timely actions to combat anthropogenic climate change [1]
Graphical results of the Best Policy Scenario no Carbon Cost (BPSnoCC), the INDCnoCC, and the Current Policy Scenario no Carbon Cost (CPSnoCC) are displayed in the Supplementary Material for comparative analysis and discussed where necessary
The total primary energy demand (TPED) by 2050 across the three scenarios is evaluated at 152 TWh for the Best Policy Scenario (BPS), 160 TWh for the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) and 173 TWh for the Current Policy Scenario (CPS)

Summary

Introduction

The 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement projects a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 and emphasizes on the need for timely actions to combat anthropogenic climate change [1]. In subSaharan Africa (SSA), research on progressive transition to a 100% renewable energy (RE) system on national regimes has proven to be the best option in the three spheres of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental). This is in particular for South Africa [5], Nigeria [6], West Africa [7], Ethiopia [8], and Ghana [9]. The modelling outcome of this study can steer relevant and cross-national comparable policy towards achieving sustainable energy system transitions in Cameroon and other Central African countries

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion