- Ivory Coast inaugurates its first solar power plant in Boundiali, marking a shift towards renewable energy.
- The project aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and double its capacity to 80 MWp by 2024.
- It employs 350 locals and serves as a model for sustainable development in the region.
Ivory Coast celebrates a milestone with the inauguration of its first solar power plant in Boundiali. The project marks a shift towards renewable energy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Engineer Franck Alain Yayo highlights the region’s ideal conditions for solar power. The plant, launched in June 2023, spans 36 hectares and boasts 68,000 solar panels.
Plans aim to double capacity to 80 MWp by 2024, funded by local, German, and EU sources. Despite progress, challenges persist. Half of sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to electricity, and the continent only contributes 2 per cent to global clean energy capacity.
The Ivory Coast targets 45 per cent renewable energy by 2030, including 9 per cent solar, yet gas and hydro still dominate. Recent oil and gas discoveries underscore continued reliance on fossil fuels, which Minister Sangafowa Coulibaly views as vital for meeting energy demands.
The Boundiali project offers social benefits and employs 350 locals. Oumar Konaté, a former farmer, praises the project’s opportunities. Training by CI-Energies and Eiffage enhances local skills. Ivory Coast’s solar plant signifies progress towards a greener future. It balances economic growth with environmental responsibility, setting an example for others in the region.