Côte d'Ivoire has taken a significant leap forward in renewable energy with the launch of a new solar power plant capable of lighting up to 35,000 homes. This innovative project, located in Boundiali in the northern part of the country, is a testament to the nation’s commitment to sustainable Contact online >>
Côte d''Ivoire has taken a significant leap forward in renewable energy with the launch of a new solar power plant capable of lighting up to 35,000 homes. This innovative project, located in Boundiali in the northern part of the country, is a testament to the nation’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and climate change mitigation. The plant has been operational since June 2023, contributing up to 37MW of clean energy to the Ivorian national grid.
The inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of Ivorian Prime Minister Beugré Mambé and German Parliamentary State Secretary Bärbel Kofler, highlighting the international cooperation underpinning this project. The development was financially supported by KfW Development Bank with a funding package of €37 million (around $40.1m), which included a loan of €27m (around $29.2m) on behalf of the German Federal Government and a grant of €10m (around $10.8m) on behalf of the European Union.
Spanning 38 hectares, the Boundiali solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant boasts nearly 70,000 solar modules that glisten in the West African sun, producing sustainable electricity. Owned and operated by CI-Energies (Côte d''Ivoire Energies), the facility is a beacon of green energy production in the region. Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, was tasked with delivering a 10MW Energy Storage System (ESS) for the project, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the power output.
Constructed by Eiffage Energie Système and its subsidiary RMT, the project involved extensive preparatory work, including land clearing, infrastructure development, and the installation of an advanced battery energy storage system (BESS). This 10MWh BESS plays a crucial role in stabilizing the energy generated by the solar panels, allowing for consistent power supply while reducing CO2 emissions by 27,000 tonnes annually.
Eiffage Energie Système’s meticulous work also included the installation of high-voltage transformers and underground lines, integrating the Boundiali plant seamlessly into Côte d''Ivoire’s national grid. This integration is pivotal in bolstering the country’s renewable energy capacity and contributing to the national goal of increasing the share of renewable energies in its electricity supply to 45% by 2030.
The Boundiali solar power plant is not just an infrastructure project; it represents a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, with an expected reduction of 35,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. It stands as a model for solar energy expansion in Côte d''Ivoire and a vital component of the country’s strategy to combat climate change. As Côte d''Ivoire continues to embrace renewable energy, the Boundiali solar power plant is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to a sustainable future.
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Côte d''Ivoire recently celebrated the launch of a significant renewable energy milestone with the inauguration of a new solar power plant in Boundiali, located in the northern part of the country. This development is poised to supply up to 37MW of power, enough to sustain electricity to approximately 35,000 homes, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation''s energy sector. The official unveiling of the plant was presided over by Ivorian Prime Minister Beugré Mambé and German Parliamentary State Secretary Bärbel Kofler, reflecting a collaborative international effort.
The project, which commenced power production in June 2023, received substantial financial backing from KfW Development Bank. The bank contributed €37 million to the endeavor, comprising a €27 million loan from the German Federal Government and a €10 million grant from the European Union. This investment underscores the commitment of both local and international stakeholders to fostering sustainable energy solutions in West Africa.
Constructed by Eiffage Energie Système and its subsidiary RMT, the Boundiali solar photovoltaic (PV) plant spans over 38 hectares of land. Prior to construction, extensive preparation was necessary, including clearing undergrowth, establishing operational infrastructures, and laying down an asphalt access road. The plant boasts nearly 70,000 solar modules and incorporates a 10MW Energy Storage System (ESS) provided by Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. This ESS is designed to stabilize the energy output from the solar panels, ensuring the plant''s reliable production capacity of 64 GWh/year while also reducing CO2 emissions by 27,000 tonnes annually.
With its 10MWh battery energy storage system, the Boundiali plant represents a significant step towards smoothing the intermittency of solar power, thereby bolstering the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy within the national grid. Eiffage Energie Système''s installation of two high-capacity transformers and the extension of the existing source substation further facilitates the seamless integration of solar-generated electricity into Côte d''Ivoire''s energy mix.
The environmental implications of this project are profound, with an estimated annual reduction of 35,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is part of Côte d''Ivoire''s broader strategy to combat climate change and shift towards a greener energy portfolio, aiming to increase the share of renewable energies in its electricity supply to 45% by 2030. Currently, gas remains the predominant energy source in the country, accounting for over 60% of its energy production, while hydropower contributes more than 30%.
The Boundiali solar power plant is not only a testament to Côte d''Ivoire''s dedication to renewable energy but also serves as a beacon for future solar projects in the region. The inauguration coincided with the laying of the foundation stone for an expansion project, which will elevate the plant''s capacity to 83 MWp, positioning it as the largest solar facility in West Africa upon its completion next year.
This expansion, anticipated to attract private investors, demonstrates the technical and financial viability of large-scale solar projects in Côte d''Ivoire and similar nations. The Boundiali plant''s success is a significant indicator of the potential for renewable energy development in Africa, offering a sustainable and scalable model for addressing energy needs and environmental challenges.
As Côte d''Ivoire progresses with its ambitious renewable energy goals, the Boundiali solar power plant stands as a pivotal achievement in the region''s transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. This project not only enhances the national grid’s capacity with clean, sustainable power but also sets a precedent for future renewable energy initiatives across West Africa, highlighting the critical role of international cooperation and investment in driving global progress towards a greener, more sustainable future.
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Announced in 2019, the Boundiali solar project is finally reaching the operational phase. Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé inaugurated the first phase of the power plant on Wednesday 03 April 2024, in the presence of the project’s backers and local authorities, including Bruno Nabagné Koné, President of the Bagoué Regional Council, who believes that the infrastructure should enable new localities to be electrified.
The solar power plant, connected to the grid of the state-owned company Côte d’Ivoire Énergies (CI-Énergies), covers an area of 36 hectares and has a capacity of 37.5 MWp. The park was installed by Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, a subsidiary of the French group Eiffage. In 2023, its compatriot Saft, a subsidiary of hydrocarbon giant TotalEnergies, has been selected to equip the solar farm with a 13.8 MWh electricity storage system.
The new solar power plant is capable of powering 70,000 Ivorian homes while reducing emissions by 60,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. This is precisely the objective of the Ivorian government, which wants to decarbonise its electricity mix. According to Mamadou Coulibaly-Sangafowa, the country’s Minister of Mines, Oil and Energy, it will contribute to the implementation of the government’s energy policy, which aims to increase the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix to “45% by 2030, including large-scale hydroelectricity, and to meet its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (31.4%)”.
With an installed capacity of 2,230 MW according to the World Bank, Ivory Coast generates some of its electricity from hydroelectric dams, but mainly from fossil fuels such as diesel and natural gas. The Ivorian government intends to pursue its policy of diversification by building a second phase to increase the capacity of the Boundiali solar power plant to 83 MWp, for a total investment of 76.5 million euros.
This project is financially supported by the European Union (EU) and the German Development Agency (KfW). With the pace set by the government, private investors are already beginning to show an interest in the solar energy sector. These include Amea Power of the United Arab Emirates, which will invest in a 50 MWp solar power plant in Bondoukou, and PFO Africa, which is targeting 52 MWp at Sokhoro, in the Ferkessédougou division.
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