Cameroon: Nachtigal Hydropower Capacity Adds 420 MW

• Cameroon's installed electricity generation capacity reached an estimated 2,280 MW by the end of 2025, a 50.4% increase over five years.
• The 420 MW Nachtigal hydropower plant, fully operational by March 2025, and the 30 MW Lom Pangar dam power plant contributed significantly to this growth.
• Despite these additions, Cameroon remains 1,220 MW short of its government's interim electricity generation target, as detailed in the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Economic and Budget Programming Document (DPEB).
• Structural supply, grid, and financial constraints continue to challenge the nation's energy sector.
• The persistent power deficit highlights ongoing opportunities for energy sector investment and infrastructure development.

However, the persistent 1,220 MW deficit against the government's interim target clearly indicates that substantial opportunities for Cameroon energy sector investment remain.

Cameroon's national electricity grid experienced a substantial expansion in its installed generation capacity over a five-year period, culminating in an estimated 2,280 megawatts (MW) by the close of 2025. This represents a significant 50.4% increase, adding 764 MW to the 1,516 MW recorded in 2020. The government attributes the majority of this growth in Cameroon electricity generation capacity to strategic investments in new hydropower infrastructure.

A cornerstone of this expansion is the 420 MW Cameroon Nachtigal hydropower capacity. The Nachtigal hydropower plant commissioning was fully realized in March 2025, with all seven of its 60 MW generating units becoming operational. This substantial facility now feeds power into the Southern Interconnected Grid and, by itself, contributes nearly one-fifth of the total installed capacity reported by the government for the end of 2025. Complementing this, the 30 MW power plant situated at the base of the Lom Pangar dam power Cameroon also played a role. This facility, which supplies the Eastern Interconnected Grid, commenced operations in May 2023, with its individual units progressively coming online. Together, the Nachtigal and Lom Pangar projects have collectively introduced 450 MW of new capacity to the nation's power infrastructure.

Despite these considerable additions to the national grid, Cameroon still faces a substantial Cameroon power infrastructure deficit. The country remains 1,220 MW short of the government’s interim target for electricity generation. This shortfall is detailed in the government’s 2027-2029 Medium-Term Economic and Budget Programming Document (DPEB), a key publication prepared for budget policy discussions.

The DPEB highlights that structural challenges continue to impede the nation's energy sector. These include persistent issues related to supply chain logistics, grid infrastructure limitations, and ongoing financial constraints. These factors collectively contribute to the enduring gap between current generation capabilities and the country's ambitious energy goals, underscoring the complexity of achieving full energy security.

The significant increase in Cameroon electricity generation capacity, largely driven by major hydropower projects like Nachtigal and Lom Pangar, marks a notable step forward in addressing the nation's energy needs. However, the persistent 1,220 MW deficit against the government's interim target clearly indicates that substantial opportunities for Cameroon energy sector investment remain.

This ongoing gap points to a continued demand for new project development, innovative financing solutions, and robust regulatory frameworks to support further expansion. Bridging this energy shortfall will require sustained efforts in infrastructure development and strategic planning, making the Cameroonian energy landscape a critical area for future engagement and growth.

Lawyers advising energy sector clients in Cameroon should note the significant capacity additions from Nachtigal and Lom Pangar, alongside the persistent 1,220 MW deficit. This signals ongoing opportunities for project development, financing, and regulatory work to bridge the energy gap.

Source: Original reporting via government's DPEB