Constraints of micro hydroelectric power plants in the west region of Cameroon

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to study the constraints of Micro Hydroelectric Power Plants (MHPPs) installed in the West Region of Cameroon. The study was carried out between January 2005 and December 2008 and is related to water conveyance structures, production facilities; transportation and distribution networks, management and maintenance of the MHPPs. Data were collected using questionnaires, direct interviews and site observations and measurements. The main results show that the poor working condition on 60% of power plants is due to lack of previous survey before setting up the facility. Deteriorations and silting up of structures exist on all sites and  result from their poor
maintenance. Machine vibrations and bad weather also contribute to the deteriorations. On 50% of the sites, water conduits of diversion works consist of low pressure pipes which break down very often. On 80% of sites, power houses are single narrow rooms that house the machinery. On 80% of sites, the current produced is single phase and the power is lower than the demand of the population. On the transportation and distribution networks, electric conductors on 43% of sites are within reach of
inhabitants. On 80% of sites, grounding and neutral wires do not exist or are poorly installed. For maintenance and repairs, problems exist on all sites because of the lack of spare parts, the lack of capable technicians and poor management of funds.