Cameroon has officially selected Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd and China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd to construct the Limbe combined-cycle gas-fired power plant, marking the end of a decade-long search for a suitable partner. Announced on August 20, this public-private partnership project is expected to cost approximately CFA 176 billion ($312 million). The Cameroonian government will contribute CFA 26 billion, covering 15% of the total cost, while the remaining funds will be provided by the selected companies.
Construction is slated to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2029, with a capacity of 350 megawatts aimed at alleviating supply deficits in the southwest and coastal regions. This initiative is crucial for Cameroon as it seeks to achieve its 2030 goal of 5,000 megawatts of installed capacity, addressing a significant energy deficit that currently limits industrial growth and electrification efforts.
The Limbe project reflects the government’s strategy to diversify energy sources by transitioning to gas-fired generation, thereby reducing dependence on hydropower, which is vulnerable to climate variability. For Sunon Asogli and China Energy, this venture enhances their presence in West Africa and signals an increasing Asian involvement in African gas-to-power initiatives. Successful delivery of the Limbe plant is contingent on effective financing, disciplined execution, and securing long-term gas supply agreements, which will ultimately transform energy availability and support regional development objectives.