CAT's mission is to help eradicate poverty and improve environmental quality in Cameroon through the development and use of appropriate technology, by demonstrating results, building skills and influencing people. Our current Off-grid Rural Electrification Programme is aimed at: - Harnessing the abundant locally available natural resources (falls/rivers, solar energy and wind) to electrify rural communities through the use of proven renewable energy technologies such as micro hydro, solar photovoltaics and wind turbines; - Building local capacities to ensure project development, local project financing, and technology transfer in the local production of energy efficient/renewable energy technology equipment such as micro hydro turbines, wind turbines, improved cookstoves, solar water heaters, and solar dryers; - Setting-up a trust fund for renewable energies that shall directly benefit local people and businesses in the energy efficiency/renewable energy domain. In our 2004 Energy Efficient/Renewable Energy Technology (EERET) Sensitization and Capacity Building Project, we organised sensitization workshops for key local stakeholders in all the divisions of the North West Province of Cameroon. These stakeholders were sensitized and trained on the types, uses and benefits of EERETs (electric and non-electric); some basic EERET devices such as solar cookers, improved cookstoves, solar water heaters, solar home systems, thermo boxes, and dynamo power units were constructed during training workshops for teachers and students and donated to seven schools in the Province. These devices were to be used for experimentation, teaching aids and demonstrations in various divisions. This project was carried out with the support of GTZ Germany through the GATE programme and the project was published in the International Action Programme of the Renewables 2004 Bonn Conference.
Contact Information
Our target group includes: councils, community development associations, schools, hospitals, women's groups, water supply authorities, information and communication companies, and local technicians. We collaborate with the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP), the Rural Electrification Agency (AER) of Cameroon, and the Ministry of Planning, Development Programming and Regional Development (MINPLAPDAT) in facilitating the development of a National Energy Action Plan for poverty reduction in Cameroon (PANERP). For more information refer to: Francophone Africa GVEP Facilitators Workshop, Mbour/Dakar Senegal, 21-23 June, 2005.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Some of the main social/culrural barriers to using improved cookstoves are: the perceived socio-cultural benefits of smoke, often used in kitchens for the drying/smooking of food; smoke is believed to repel mosquitoes as the kitchen often serves as a sleeping area in rural communities; it is thought that smoked food tastes better; and; the popular three-stones fireside also serve as a source of indoor heating and light in the kitchen.
To develop markets for improved cooking technologies the following are required: increased awareness creation on the dangers of indoor smoke pollution, sustainable energy options and the benefits of improved cooking technologies; capacity building for local technicians on the production of improved cookstoves and other sustainable thermal energy devices; capacity building of local financing institutions to appraise and fund energy efficient/renewable energy projects or offer micro credits to rural households; and; strengthen school curricula to emphasize the cross linkages between subjects taught at schools and energy efficient/renewable energy technologies.
Improved cook stoves are used for cooking, baking, drying and water heating purposes. Community micro-hydro systems can provide electricity for cooking, heating, drying, and ventilation. Solar cookers are also quite acceptable in semi-desert regions like the North of Cameroon where fuel wood is relatively scarce. Solar agricultural dryers are quite acceptable for the drying of vegetables, fruits and grain. Solar water heaters are quite acceptable for water heating especially in schools, hospitals, and hotels. Sustainable building technologies can help ensure proper ventilation and shelter in rural communities.
No input
Relevant Publications or Studies
Our publication is available in the International Action Programme of the Renewables 2004 Bonn Conference.
Our Contribution to the Partnership
We can contribute to the Partnership in both rural development and technical service issues. We have been working with the grassroots organization and helping them identify and prioritise their needs; conducting feasibility studies/project designs, mobilising these groups to benefit from national programs and assisting them in presenting projects to potential funders. Our technical/commercial unit (CC Technologies Group) has experience and skills in the design and construction of sustainable energy systems (electric and non-electric) from basic solar equipment to micro-hydro turbines.
