Ivory Coast’s 50 MW solar plant gets green light

From the newsletter

The government of Ivory Coast has approved a 50 MW solar project to be developed via a public-private partnership. It is expected to cost $60 million and will be built by Katiola Solar Power, a subsidiary of Swiss energy provider JC Mont-Fort. The government is targeting to double its share of electricity generation from renewables to reach 45% by 2030.

• West African nations that are part of select countries in the World Bank's Mission 300 are leading the region's renewable electrification efforts. Over the past couple of weeks, Chad, Liberia, Nigeria, and now Ivory Coast have announced or made progress on renewable projects.

• Ivory Coast is rolling out multiple renewable projects. It recently operationalised the 112 MW Gribo-Popoli hydroelectric dam. Other projects in the pipeline include the 52.4 MW Ferke Solar Plant and the 50 MW Bondoukou solar projects.

More details

• The Katiola solar plant, set to be located on a 60-hectare site and powered by over 89,000 polycrystalline solar panels, is slated for commissioning in late 2026. This project is expected to generate 160 direct construction jobs and 30 permanent operational roles.

• Currently, Ivory Coast’s energy mix is predominantly gas-fired, with hydropower contributing 30%. Solar power, while still modest at 5%, is experiencing steady growth. Wind power is presently absent from the mix, though feasibility studies have been conducted.

• The country aims to attract $2 billion in private capital by 2030 for its renewable energy ambitions, with the Katiola project serving as a crucial component. Big international lenders such as the EAAIF, BOAD, FMO, DEG, AMEA Power, and China’s Eximbank are already leading investments in large-scale renewable initiatives within the nation.

• Th Ivory Coast government's 2025 policy amendments, announced earlier this year, are actively enabling private firms to participate in renewables projects. These changes have already led to various partnerships and renewable energy project announcements, including the Kong Solaire 50 MW Solar Power Plant.

• The country's terrain is conducive to scaling renewables, featuring mostly plains and hydro-rich regions like the Gribo-Popoli dam. While solar projects are attracting the majority of new investments, hydropower offers vital grid stability, helping to mitigate the intermittency of solar power. This hybrid approach stands in contrast to Saharan nations that rely purely on solar.

• The country's reliance on foreign investment and a concession model, however,  exposes projects like Katiola to currency fluctuation risks, potentially affecting returns and project viability. While hedging mechanisms and local currency financing could mitigate these risks, their availability in the region remains limited.

• Infrastructure bottlenecks, a common challenge for African renewables projects, such as ageing electricity grids, could also hinder timely commissioning and optimal operation. Strong contractual discipline and sustained government support will be critical in overcoming these hurdles.

• Despite these challenges, there is cause for optimism. Ivory Coast’s annual population growth of 2.4% and an urbanisation rate of 60.5% are rapidly driving electricity demand. The Katiola solar plant will be instrumental in meeting this surge, enabling the country to achieve its electrification goals.

Our take

• Ivory Coast faces a bold challenge in increasing its renewables mix by 21%. While achieving a 45% renewables share in its electricity by 2030 is possible, it remains unlikely.

• Public-private partnerships are key to the country's electrification success. Historically, government-led projects, much like in other African nations, have suffered from poor execution and neglect.

• However, the substantial increase in renewable energy projects in Ivory Coast over recent months is promising. If this momentum continues, the country could wean itself off fossil power generation.