This paper analyses the potential utilization of wind electric pumping for water distribution in off-grid locations of the North Region of Cameroon (NRoC), using ground measured data as well as long-term satellite-derived data. Furthermore, this paper puts emphasis on statistical indexes of accuracy for the comparison of measured (2007–2012) and long-term satellite-derived (2005–2020) data. The outcome of this study clearly indicates that long-term satellite-derived data, obtained through the Prediction of Worldwide Renewable Energy Resources, can be considered as a viable alternative to missing site-specific data from ground stations, mainly in developing countries. The accuracy of satellite-based wind resource is deemed sufficient to provide a reasonable assessment in the initial phase of wind project planning, before in situ measurements with high accuracy are available. To model wind speeds characteristics, the energy pattern factor method (EPF) has been utilized as one of the reliable Weibull distribution methods for the assessment of wind energy potential at desired turbines heights in the selected locations. Five 20-kW pitch-controlled wind turbines (WT) with a hub height of 30 m, are considered to evaluate the power output and energy produced. Volumetric flow rates and costs of water produced are estimated. The results showed that, out of the eight chosen locations, Figuil shows the best combination of capacity factors (CF) and costs of energy (COE), while the site of Poli displays the worst values of CF and COE, no matter which of the five WT is employed. Thus, selecting WT for low wind speeds regimes, should require to combine location wind resource and WT characteristics such as lower cut-in wind speed (1.5 m/s) as well as lower rated wind speed (8.0 m/s) in order to successfully and affordably implement the wind technology in the NRoC.

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Globally, the continuous increase of energy consumption coupled with the depletion of the limited fossil fuel sources and their negative impacts on the environment, has shifted focus towards renewables for a sustainable development. For the last fifteen years, the world has enjoyed renewables generation capacity increases in a double-digit Terawatt-hours range. Although renewables consumption is fast developing in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America, significant coordination efforts are required among stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africans countries such as Cameroon. In 2018, the total final energy consumption in Cameroon was 7.41 Mtoe, 74.22% of which was from biomass, 18.48% from fossil fuels and 7.30% from electricity. Furthermore, 6977 GWh of electricity was produced, 78.29% of which from the major electricity operator (ENEO S.A. Cameroon) and 21.71% from independent producers (GLOBELEQ, ALTAAQA Sinohydro China and AGGREKO). More than three quarter of electricity produced were consumed by industry (57.04%) and residential (20.74%) sectors. The country's installed electricity generation capacity rose to 1402 MW, 56.15% of which was from hydropower, 43.84% from fossil fuels (17.55% from natural gas and 26.29% from oil) and 0.01% from solar photovoltaic. The promotion of renewable energy is an important part of Cameroon's plan to increase energy security and provide job opportunities to the country. Yet, the lack of proactive and long-term renewable energy policy and laws, in addition to less attention paid to renewable energy training and research, financing mechanisms, and unaffordable costs of renewable energy technologies to the poor population are amongst present issues hindering the development of renewable energy in the country. Hence, this paper aims to highlight the present status of renewable energy exploitation and development in Cameroon.

This study aimed at investigating the characteristics of the wind power resource in the Far North Region of Cameroon (FNR), based on modelling of daily long-term satellite-derived data (2005-2020) and in-situ wind measurements data (1987-2020). Five different reliable statistical indicators assessed the accuracy level for the goodness-of-fit tests of satellite-derived data. The two-parameter Weibull distribution function using the energy factor method described the statistical distribution of wind speed and investigated the characteristics of the wind power resource. Six 10-kW pitch-controlled wind turbines (WT) evaluated the power output, energy and water produced. A 50 m pumping head was considered to estimate seasonal variations of volumetric flow rates and costs of water produced. The results revealed that the wind resource in FNR is suitable only for wind pumping applications. Based on the hydraulic requirements for wind pumps, mechanical wind pumping system can be the most cost-effective option of wind pumping technologies in FNR. However, based on the estimated capacity factors of selected WT, wind electric pumping system can be acceptable for only four out of twenty-one sites in FNR.

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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the energy yield of the photovoltaic module during the worst case conditions in Soudano Sahelian climate in order to predict real time worst performance of a PV water pumping systems in two stations in soudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon. a simple model has been developed with experimental data of electrical energy delivered by PV module for estimating the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) water pumping systems, this work is made possible using 5-min intervals of measured performance data (ambient temperature, current, voltage) for the month of August using the optimum fixed tilt angle of the PV array. The method is validated by predicting the performance of two PV pumping systems installed in an isolated site in Agola and Dorigué. The daily and the monthly flow rate of the systems predicted by the method are evaluated.