(Business in Cameroon) - Located in the suburbs of the Cameroonian capital, the Ahala thermal plant was launched on June 10, 2015 after halting for several weeks. The resumption of services followed discussions that were on-going for several months between British company Aggreko and the Cameroonian government with the aim to buy the plant.

The plant’s contribution will ease the 80 to 100 MW shortage announced for several weeks now by Eneo after the onset of the hydraulic crisis which has resulted from the decline in the nation’s dams.

However, the price the Cameroonian government will be paying for the energy plant has sparked fierce debate. Indeed, Aggreko is asking 14 billion FCFA (or 21.5 million euros) for the thermal plant. The price is almost the same as what would be paid for a new plant of similar type (Aggreko purchased the plant for 15.8 billion FCFA or around 24.1 million euros).