HANDS-ON RENEWABLE ENERGY TRAINING BY RURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUNG CAMEROONIANS

From Concept to Light: Building Power With Our Own Hands

RURAL SOLUTIONS, the social enterprise founded by electrical engineer Atud Jonathan Asaah dedicated to using renewable energy to light rural communities, recently concluded an intensive practical training for young enthusiastic Cameroonians in the North West Region. 

Unlike classroom theory, this training was 100% practical sessions in the field – from conceptualising to implementation.

1. THE TRAINING PHILOSOPHY: Learn by Building

Youth were not spectators. They were the workforce, the engineers, and the owners of the technology. As documented in TUFAM, the approach involves actively involving youths to teach essential engineering and sharing knowledge and transferring technology to the youth team. 

The training covered the full project cycle:

• Site assessment and conceptual design

• Component identification and assembly

• Civil works and penstock installation

• Electromechanical installation and testing

• Commissioning and community handover 

2. MODULE A: SOLAR INSTALLATIONS – Assembling Bigger Systems from Component Parts.

Students were trained in the assembly of component parts of bigger systems for solar installations. They learned to size, wire, and assemble:

• PV panels to charge controllers

• Battery banks and inverters

• Protection systems and distribution boards

This builds on Rural Solutions’ broader mission to provide solar energy for rural communities where hydroelectricity outreach is difficult, a model that has already helped electrify hundreds of villages in Cameroon.

3. MODULE B: MICRO-HYDRO POWER PLANT – THE TUFAM COMMUNITY PROJECT.

The highlight of the training was the field work at the TUFAM COMMUNITY MICRO HYDRO POWER PLANT in Bessi Village, Batibo Subdivision, North West Region.

The plant is a 3-phase, 15kW hydroelectric facility built using locally sourced materials with the slogan: “Harnessing the stream, brightening our homes”. 

Young trainees participated in all stages:

a) Civil & Pipe Works: In forest clearings, youths worked together tightening bolts on large pipe flanges, installing the long black penstock pipe that transports water by gravity to the powerhouse. 

b) Powerhouse Installation: Inside the small concrete building, they installed the core equipment – the teal-green turbine housing linked by a black drive belt to the generator, valve, control panel with red LED readouts, and ballast load. They learned how flowing water turns the turbine which drives the alternator to produce roughly 330V AC without any fuel – a fuel-free operation. 

c) Commissioning: The team witnessed the final test where the turbine spins under a spray of water and a lit bulb confirms that power is now flowing to the village. The system was tested and functioned perfectly.

Despite the high level of insecurity in the northwest due to the civil war, the team continued work in Bessi, showing resilience and commitment. 

4. IMPACT & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

This is more than a training. It is a model of self-sufficiency and community empowerment in response to the unreliable service of the national utility ENEO/SOCADEL.

Comments from the community show overwhelming pride: “Congratulations for the great Job”, “Africa is alive and moving forward” and many requests for replication in other villages.

The youths who were trained are now able to replicate the low-cost, reliable power model for other remote communities, creating jobs and keeping talent in the village.

RURAL SOLUTIONS is not just giving light. It is transferring the ability to make light.