Powering Industrial Development in Kribi: Electricity as a Strategic Enabler
Powering Industrial Development in Kribi: Electricity as a Strategic Enabler
Reliable energy supply at the heart of Kribi Port's industrial ambitions
On Monday, October 16, 2023, the Director General of the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK), Mr. Patrice MELOM, hosted a working session with a delegation from EDF Cameroon, a subsidiary of France’s Électricité de France.
The meeting focused on a crucial issue: ensuring sustainable and sufficient power supply to support the growth of the Kribi Industrial-Port Area (ZIPK).
During the two-hour discussion, both parties agreed that no industrial transformation can succeed without reliable, large-scale, and clean energy. They reviewed technical options to meet the rising power demands of the ZIPK, a 15,000-hectare zone set aside for agro-industrial development and raw material transformation.
🔍 Existing Limitations to Industrial Potential
Although PAK has implemented several initiatives since 2018 to attract high-value industries, energy limitations remain a major bottleneck. The ZIPK is currently powered by a 30 kV line from the Mpolongwe 36 MVA substation, but can only draw 16 MW, which is just 40% of the available capacity.
Yet, the actual demand already reaches 23 MVA, and could exceed 100 MW in the near future with the anticipated arrival of new industrial players—especially in metallurgy.
📢 A Call for Acceleration and Action
Mr. MELOM urged EDF Cameroon to accelerate energy infrastructure projects and advocated for the implementation of a dedicated regulatory regime for special economic zones. Only then can Kribi’s Industrial-Port Area reach its full potential.
The success of ZIPK is tied to the government’s and partners’ ability to respond quickly and decisively. This is key to enabling the port to fulfill its strategic role in Cameroon’s 2030 Development Strategy (SND30) and in powering inclusive industrial growth across the region.
