Maroua & Guider Solar Power Plants: Embodiment of Energy & Citizen-oriented Transition
"We don't just generate energy. We also contribute to the daily lives of communities," said Eneo's deputy General Manager, Oumarou Hamandjoda, recalling the boreholes already drilled to provide access to drinking water, support for empowerment initiatives and employment opportunities offered to young people in neighbouring villages.
Benjamin Lagadec, the GM of Release, on his part, highlighted the inclusive nature of the project: "During the construction phase, we work with Cameroonian partners. This includes recruiting local labour, renting construction machinery from national companies, and using local service providers for specialised operations such as civil engineering and telecommunications." This approach not only creates jobs but also strengthens local skills and boosts the regional economy.
In concrete terms, many young people will be recruited for the project. Among them are engineers and technicians trained by the country's universities, notably the École Supérieure Polytechnique de Maroua.
Furthermore, the impact of the project goes beyond energy and employment. Thanks to a community program jointly run by Release and Eneo, several structural initiatives are being launched, including the empowerment of women and young people, water supply, agricultural training, mechanized agriculture, and reforestation. “These social projects reflect a conviction shared by both companies: energy transition is inextricably linked to civic transition”, Oumarou Hamandjoda indicated.
In other words, it is not enough to generate clean energy. It is also important to invest in the men and women who live around the power stations, build sustainable prospects for communities and show that energy progress can be a vector for social progress.
