The Nachtigal hydroelectric dam, located in the northeast of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, is experiencing hydrological conditions that are limiting its ability to generate electricity at its full potential. The Cameroonian minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, mentioned this issue on September 21, 2026, during a meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was visiting the country. The dam, which began operations in May 2025, was designed to produce up to 420 megawatts of electricity, but it is currently facing a hydrological deficit, meaning there is less water than needed for optimal power generation. According to the Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC), a subsidiary of the French energy firm Energie de France (EDF), the hydrological deficit in 2026 is due to unfavorable climate conditions. These include a longer dry season and water inflows that are lower than the average seen in recent years. NHPC explained this in an email to the environmental news website Mongabay. The Nachtigal hydroelectric power plant is built on the Sanaga River, the longest river in Cameroon, stretching 918 kilometers. This river basin faced periods of drought in 2026, leading to low water levels, which are critical for hydroelectric power generation. The reduced water levels in the Sanaga River have had a significant impact on the production capacity of the Nachtigal dam. The Electricity Development Corporation (EDC), which manages Cameroon's hydroelectric infrastructure, confirmed this effect. Hydroelectric power plants rely on the flow of water through turbines to generate electricity, and a decrease in water levels directly reduces their efficiency. This situation highlights the vulnerability of hydroelectric projects to climate variability and underscores the challenges of maintaining energy production in regions affected by prolonged droughts. Cameroon's reliance on hydroelectric power makes this issue particularly pressing. The country has been working to expand its energy infrastructure to meet growing demand, but the current conditions at the Nachtigal dam are a reminder of the delicate balance between natural resources and energy production. As climate patterns continue to shift, the need for resilient energy solutions becomes increasingly important.