Demand and Consumption of Energy, Energy Problems in Cameroon - Essay Example

Energy Problems in Cameron Student’s name Affiliation Date Energy Problems in Cameron Introduction Cameroon is a country within the Guinea Gulf has various borders in Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon is a miniature country characterized by the diversity that creates integration of the country. It is among the most populated country in CEMAC, and the demand for energy is high considering that it has the high population of approximately twenty million people. The feature has made it possible for the ministry of energy to embark on process and strategies that will ensure that energy in that particular nation is sufficient. According to Pate, Hightower, Cameron, & Einfeld (2007, p.67) Cameron has large reserves of renewable energy such as water, the wind and solar energy that creates vast reserves of unutilized energy in Cameroon. Underutilization creates deficient of energy explaining why the government should come up with strategies that are helpful for the greater good of the nation. Inefficient utilization has created the shortage of power prompting the government to distribute the little available at high cost hence reducing the rate at which economic growth shapes in the country. It is paramount to note that energy is a crucial determinant of healthy growth of the economy. A state that has huge reserves of energy can succeed because it can engage in manufacturing and related procedures that are crucial in the growth of the country. Growth of economy leads to the development of infrastructure, which in turn translates to development (Ako, Eyong, & Nkeng, 2010.p.877). However, energy problems in Cameroon have contributed to stunted economic growth that has culminated in massive demonstrations and unemployment. Insufficient and underutilization of power in Cameron contributes to the stunted growth of the economy of the country hence formulation other methods of energy production. Cameroon and energy production According to Payne (2010,p.57) Cameron is a country that has abundance renewable energy(RE) but utilization has been minimal explaining the reason subtle initiatives and scientific demonstrations must take place to harness such energy. Most of the Cameron civilians depends on solid fuels such as charcoal for cooking for the household heating and lightning. Some of the major sources of energy are petroleum, hydropower, coal, bio fuels, and waste. In terms of electric provision, Cameroon derives its electricity from hydroelectric, and it accounts for 75% while the remaining portion emanates from the renewable sources. The hydroelectric schemes that produce 721MW emanate from a production of about 1000MW plant pointing inefficiency because it does not meet the maximum threshold. In Cameron, various major hydroelectric stations such as Lagdo and Edea contribute the largest portion of hydroelectric power in the country. The production indicates that it is the second great hydroelectric producer from Democratic Republic of Congo (Potter, Archambault & Westrick, 2009, p.4). Despite the fact, the Cameron is a massive producer of hydroelectricity; it lacks even distribution pointing out a great impediment towards energy allocation in the country. Only 20% of Cameron nationals have access to the national grid of electricity, and the percentage is low explaining the essence of adopting other measures to increase distribution to reach more people. The 20% who have the electric connection are the urban dwellers while the remaining 80% who live in the villages do not have an electrical connection. Apart from the hydroelectricity power, there is fuel-produced electricity, and it accounts for 11% of total fuel produced in the country. In the same breath, the biomass fuel is hefty with about 20 million hectares of the tropical forest that quickly produce bio fuel today. Natural gas is also readily available in the country that estimates to reach 110,000 million cubic meters. States that all the potential lays in the ground, but the government has enhanced minimal resources allocated for utilization. It is an indication that the government of Cameron has not taken the aspect of energy problems in Cameron with seriousness and dedication it requires. Consequently, Nationals have continued facing problems that are within the jurisdiction of the government to solve and eliminate (Potter et al., 2008, p.331). Demand and consumption of energy in Cameroon According to Sheppard et al (2011p.9), the largest proportion of energy consumed in Cameron goes to the household sector used basically for heating, warming water, and cooking and it accounts for 70.63 of the total energy. The percentage of 14.49 of the total energy is usable in the transportation sector for the purpose of powering and fuelling the vehicles.The other 8.24% is evident in the commercial and public services such as education, healthcare, administration, and business. The industries also have a proportion of 6.16 which highly applicable for heating, powering equipment and cooling. More also, the agricultural sector uses approximately 0.07% in fueling tractors, vehicles and other machinery that are highly usable in the agricultural industry. The statistic indicated above is not appealing considering people in the 21st century (Songet al, 2011, p.135). Cameron is an agricultural country and it should invest more energy in the industry to ensure that the economy grows as well as improving the livelihood of people. The manufacturers also use tiny energy may be because there is the little supply of electricity in the country. Under normal circumstances, the industries should consume more energy to release more products to the market while at the same time creating employment for the people. It is an indication that Cameron government does not work hard enough to produce enough energy that will meet the needs of the population as well as the industries (Potter et al., 2008, p.331). The small percentage allocated to the industries explains that energy in Cameron has a significant problem that lie in production and utilization. The reserves of energy as indicated above are many, but the process of use is the greatest challenge. Considering the reserves of gas, biofuel and hydroelectricity, the country can produce more energy with minimal effort by inviting respective investors (Volman, 2003, p.577).The agricultural industry does not significant energy considering agriculture is the main economic activity used in the country. Tractors and heavy commercials are, not many, and peasant farmers will use other sources of energy such donkeys, human labor to take their products to the market. This explains that there is huge offer required to change the situation and revolutionize the agricultural industry. The sources of petroleum energy and its products are quite massive in Cameron because vehicles, tractors, and motorcycles require such energy to transport both people and outputs to respective places. The Most of agricultural products get to the market, by road and the government has to ensure that supply of oil and petroleum products is sufficient for the greater good. However, many Cameron nationals do not afford the product because it is expensive hence making transport industry in Cameron costly and cumbersome. Therefore, in attempt t to alleviate the situation, it paramount for the government to utilize the oil reserves in the country and the situation will solve the continuous status of oil deficiency in the country. Presence of petroleum and petroleum products translates to increased electricity because plants that require petroleum products to produce electricity will continue effectively explaining the reason the government must embark on strategies that will increase the supply (Sheppard et al., 2011p.7). The image above shows a solar panel used in production of solar energy Source: (Sheppard et al., 2011). In the attempt to counter the challenges of energy, some companies and individuals have embarked on utilizing the renewable energy such as solar, wind power and biomass energy to complement hydroelectric and petroleum energy. Solar energy has ended up being the ultimate source of energy that transceiver stations and streetlights have used because it is cheap and sustainable. In most parts of Yaoundé, most streetlights use solar energy to light the dark streets explaining the essence to use solar energy (Volman, 2003). Additionally, some people in the villages of Cameron use solar energy for lighting purpose as well as charging phones and electric gadgets .however, they posit that they are not satisfied with the situation and in case they get another source of electricity, it would be better and acceptable. Solar energy is not reliable because, during wet seasons, they may go for the long time without access to electricity asserting the essence of adopting another source of energy (Volman, 2003, p.581). The figure above illustrates wind turbines used in energy production (Volman, 2003). Wind energy is another important source of energy is Cameron although it is not under full utilization. The average speed of the wind in Cameron is 2-4 m/s at a height of 100M that is very active in the production of wind energy. The northern part of Cameron and coastal region are the most appropriate region to set up power stations bit the government has not done enough to utilize the region fully. Currently, there are two wind turbines in Douala reported to produce the substantial amount of energy. Sufficient and massive production of this energy would ultimately reduce the percentage of energy wasted without proper installation of wind turbines. Harnessing wind energy in various parts of the country would increase the average Mega Watts hence increasing the amount of energy produced. The increased energy would in turn reduce the deficiency of energy experienced throughout the country. Wind energy is important in the sense that it does not require huge capital for investment and maintenance making it an effective source of renewable energy (Payne, 2010, p.90). As posited above, Cameroon has large tracts of unutilized potential for biomass primarily derived from agriculture and forests. In 2006, the researchers identified an average of 66 sites with ability to produce 2.7 million cubics of biofuel. Currently, the biomass is usable in all sectors of economy in Cameroon such as industrial and residential although in minimal and rare cases. For the example is under subtle utilization for the manufacture of biodiesel mainly used in the agricultural purposes (Volman, 2003). In the same breath, firewood is a great asset for many people in rural areas but its usage gets exhausted day in day out explains the essence of come up with better fuel that will replace biofuel and at the same time serve the purpose and increase productivity. Biogas and Cameron Biogas is the ultimate answer to the problem of energy in Cameron. Biogas is the important source of fuel because it is affordable, and many people in Cameroon can manage to acquire and maintain. Cameroon is an agricultural land and biogas emanates from kitchen waste or cow waste. The most common form of biogas production in Cameroon is emanates from cow dung and it is the most healthy and cheap to prepare and maintain. Many farmers and civilians in Cameroon have one or two cows and acquisition of biogas becomes easy. Under normal circumstances, biogas is a mixture of gasses formed through material decomposition in the absence of oxygen gas. The decomposition can take place underwater, beneath landfills and content bubbling out of the municipal. Biogas production takes place through chemical and biological process where anaerobic digestion culminates in production of methane gas that is applicable in the process of cooking, heating and lighting (Pate, 2007, p89.). The figure above indicates biogas used in cooking and heating (Pate, 2007). The quality of biogas highly depends on the process used in production. Biogas deprived of cow dung is the most important because it has high combustion value for lighting and heating compared to any other forms. The immediate solution for energy in Cameron is biogas because it has little initial costs, and organic matter such human and animal waste is readily available from the farms. With little or no support from the government, it is possible for farmers to produce biogas from their farms hence overcoming the problem of energy. The energy efficiency of biogas (CH4) is highly applicable in heating and lighting, and therefore, it will overcome the problems of lighting and heating throughout Cameroon. In the same breath farmers can use biogas to power farm machines such chaff cutters, and they will eventually increase productivity as well as increase the household income (Payne, 2010.p.70). The diagram above indicates the process of biogas production (Volman, 2003). As mentioned earlier, biogas is easy to acquire, and every civilian can obtain the plant. Acquisition of the factory will eventually reduce consumption bio fuel that emanates from firewood and thus conserving the environment for the greater good of the community. In the same breath, it will save women and children the pain of fetching firewood for cooking and lighting the houses. In addition, biogas it is a clean fuel and it does not cause pollution of the air hence becoming an ideal source of fuel (Volman, 2003). The diagram above indicates the process of biogas production. (Volman, 2003). Biogas deprived of animal waste from pigs and cows will in turn produce good manure that can replace fertilizers hence making it easier for agriculture to take place and at the same time-saving money. In addition, it is possible to create employment for the unemployed people living within villages hence promoting the economy of the country (Sheppard et al, 2011p.7). In the same breath it is possible to dispose the household and bio wastes effectively hence improving cleanliness and sanitation by the end of the day. On the other hand, biogas is not healthy economically compared to other sources of energy such as bio fuels hence discouraging a large number of people (Sheppard et al, 2011p.7). Moreover, enhancing the efficiency of the biogas systems is difficult increasing the cost incurred in the process of producing the gas. Biogas also contains some gas impurities that corrode combustion engines making it unpopular for industrial use in Cameroon. However, it is crucial noting that biogas is instrumental in solving the energy mystery in Cameroon. Conclusion Energy is an essential requirement for every living creature. Cameroon has faced energy crisis for a long time due to poor planning, strategies, and policies. Implementing of these policies will eventually culminate in a better and society that has sufficient energy. Reserves of renewable and non-renewable energy are evident in Cameron lying unexploited. Exploiting these energy reserves will eventually reduce the problems of energy shortages creating more opportunities that will encourage economic growth. Taking into account that only 20% of total population has access to electricity, biogas it is the ultimate solution for heating and lightning household and small-scale industries. It has become the traditional source of energy due to availability and economic affordability. References Ako, A. A., Eyong, G. E. T., & Nkeng, G. E. 2010. Water resources management and integrated water resources management (IWRM) in Cameroon. Water resources management, 24(5), 871-888. Pate, R., Hightower, M., Cameron, C., & Einfeld, W. 2007. Overview of energy-water interdependencies and the emerging energy demands on water resources. Report SAND, 1349. Payne, J. E. 2010. 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