Technical Memo on Phase II of the Guider II & Garoua II Solar Power Plant
Maroua & Guider II
Significant Contribution to Solving the Power Supply Issue in the 03 Northern Regions
(North Interconnected Grid)
The key challenge faced by the North Interconnected Grid (NIG) is the limited capacity of the Lagdo Hydro-electrical Power Plant, the major and main source of power generation in this part of the country, to meet the increasing demand for power. This limitation is caused by the declining water level.
The recent thermal (increased from 4 MW in 2016 to 72 MW in 2025) and solar (30 MW) power generation capacities, which, alongside Lagdo that is the cornerstone of the NIG energy mix, now make it possible to mitigate, without completing eliminating, the impact of low water levels on customers—without these efforts, the effects would be severer. The projects to expand the Maroua and Guider solar projects are part of this drive. These projects underscore the desire to build a cleaner, more reliable, and more accessible energy future for everyone through positive transformation with local communities and committed partners.
For Eneo, continuing investments to modernise Lagdo and make it more reliable is also a constant endeavour, in a bid to safeguard its crucial contribution in the NIG, pending the completion of structuring projects spearheaded by the Government.
In the beginning there was Maroua I and Guider I now operational
Before this day, the partnership between RELEASE by SCATEC and Eneo had already enabled Cameroon to position itself as a pioneer in deployment of hybrid solar solutions in Africa.
Built between November 2021 and February 2023, the Guider I and Maroua I modular solar power plants were inaugurated in September 2023.
Each solar power plant has an installed solar voltage capacity of 18 MWc and is equipped with storage systems, for each battery, of 9.5 MWh.
This initiative is part of strengthening the North Interconnected Grid (NIG) and the Government’s policy to build sustainable energy infrastructure.
The innovative and replicable model of partnership between Eneo and RELEASE by SCATEC, with Government oversight, is hinged on a flexible energy supply offer, fully pre-financed and without sovereign guarantee.
This model made it possible to, quickly and at controlled costs, commission two projects in the North and Far-North Regions, more specifically in Guider and Maroua for phase I.
Phase II starts in September 2025.
PHASE II: What Guider II & Maroua II will look like
The projects to build the Guider II and Maroua II modular solar power plants have a combined voltage capacity of 28.6MWc and 19.2MWh.
It is estimated that 62.8 GWh will be generated during the first year, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of tens of thousands of households.
GUIDER II
Located in the Guider council area, the site that hosts the Guider II modular solar power plant stretches over a surface area of 18 hectares in Sanguere - Kolas, located around 2.5 kilometres from the site of the Guider I solar power plant and the Eneo source substation. The Guider II modular solar power plant has a capacity of 8.8MWc.
The project has 02 distinct construction phases, which will lead to the first megawatts of voltage being injected in the course of 2026.
The first phase entails carrying out preparatory works on the site, which will make it possible to host solar and electricity equipment.
- Civil engineering works are broken down as follows:
- carrying out earthworks on platforms;
- creating internal roadways close to 1,000m long;
- creating a drainage network over 1,500m long;
- digging trenches where several kilometres of cable will be laid;
- building reinforced concrete foundations scheduled to host the main power transformation equipment;
- securing the site with notably the renovation of the 1,650m fence and installation of a battery-based solar lighting system;
- erecting buildings and facilities to construct, operate and service the power plants.
The second phase entails building and commissioning the modular solar power plants. The latter will be delivered through 60 150ft. containers brought in from Europe, Africa and Asia.
It entails among others:
- 320 solar trackers equipped with 16,000 solar panels of between 545 to 600 Wc each ;
- 24 photovoltaic inverters of 350 kW each;
- 8 control and SCADA communication panels;
- 8 mini-evacuation substations of 800V/15kV;
- 01 15/30kV booster substation notably made up of a 12MVA transformer and a 30kV containerized substations;
- 2 weather stations;
- 1 remote generation control system;
- Two lines, of 30kV each, for evacuation towards the Guider source substation.
MAROUA II
Located in the Maroua council area, the site that hosts the Maroua II modular solar power plant stretches over a surface area of 39 hectares in Quartier Mayel-Ibbé, located around 2 kilometres from the site of the Maroua I solar power plant opposite the Eneo source substation. The Maroua II modular hybrid solar power plant has a capacity of 19.8MWc and 19.2 MWh.
The project has 02 distinct construction phases, which will lead to the first megawatts of voltage being injected in the course of 2026.
The first phase entails carrying out preparatory works on the site, which will make it possible to host solar and electricity equipment.
Civil engineering works are broken down as follows:
- carrying out earthworks on platforms;
- creating internal roadways close to 2050m long;
- creating a drainage network over 2500m long;
- digging trenches where several kilometres of cable will be laid;
- building reinforced concrete foundations planned to host the main power transformation equipment;
- securing the site with notably the renovation of the 2560m fence and installation of a battery-based solar lighting system;
- erecting buildings and facilities to construct, operate and service the power plants.
On its part, the second phase entails building and commissioning the modular solar power plant. The latter will be delivered through 115 40 ft. containers brought in from Europe, Africa and Asia.
It entails among others
- 660 solar trackers equipped with 33, 000 solar panels of 600 Wc each ;
- 50 photovoltaic inverters of 350 kW each;
- 12 control and SCADA communication panels;
- 17 mini-evacuation substations of 800V/15kV;
- 1 15/30 kV booster substation notably made up of two 12MVA transformers and a 30kV containerized substation;
- 11 battery containers and their energy transformation equipment;
- 2 weather stations;
- 1 remote generation control system;
- Two lines, of 30kV each, for evacuation towards the Maroua source substation.
Evidence of Eneo and RELEASE by SCATEC Corporate Responsibility
Commissioning these power plants will make it possible to prevent the emission of about 37,000 tons of CO2 every year: a significant contribution in the fight against climate change especially in regions highly threatened by desert encroachment.
The responsibility of Eneo and RELEASE by SCATEC is also expressed through their contribution to the welfare of residents.
- Local companies employing hundreds of youths help in the development of these power plants.
- Eneo and RELEASE by SCATEC have built potable water production infrastructure to better the living conditions of locals. 4 boreholes in Maroua and Guider
- Eneo & RELEASE by SCATEC are implementing a project to empower residents of surrounding villages by giving small-sized families resources to engage in income-generating activities.