Electrical Energy Consumption In Agri-Food Establishments In West Cameroon

Abstract

In the West Cameroon region, agri-food establishments: bakeries, fishmongers and restaurants contribute to three quarters (3/4) of employment in the towns, turnover and added value of regional businesses. These are also the sectors that consume the most electrical energy; between them, these establishments account for more than 50% of the electrical energy consumption in the entire Western region of the country. For six months, we conducted the study in (5the) major towns of West Cameroon chosen at random (Mifi, Menoua, Bamboutos, Nde and Haut-Nkam). Field observations of recurrent power cuts and surveys of local policy makers were also conducted on the supply of electricity, which remains problematic throughout the country. Our results show that the average electricity consumption per establishment is particularly high in bakeries, at around 1441.67 KWh, compared to 1295.45 KWh for fishmongers and 371.21 KWh for restaurants. Electricity is mainly used as a driving force for thermodynamic purposes (cold rooms, deep-freezing and air-conditioning of engines in bakeries, etc.). On the other hand, it should be noted that this sector of activity faces enormous difficulties, including the inadequacy of electrical energy in terms of supply, access and quality. The electricity supplied by The Energy of Cameroon (Eneo) is still very inadequate given the high demand. It is precarious and characterised by untimely power cuts. In fact, the average power cut in the cities studied is 24 days and 20 minutes, for a period of six months. We have come to the effective conclusion that recurrent power cuts are the result of a poor electricity supply and have a significant impact on the agri-food activity, due to their dependence on this source of energy. All these problems in West Cameroon indicate that energy demand will have to increase considerably in the coming years due to population growth (+7.8%) and socio-economic development. Therefore, we believe that policy makers should turn to renewable energies which are natural energy sources such as solar and wind power. In addition, local elected officials should think about building more mini hydroelectric dams in villages to reinforce urban areas with electrical energy.