- The Ivorian government and Katiola Solar Power signed an agreement on December 2, 2024, to build a 50 MW solar power plant in Katiola, fully financed by Katiola Solar Power for $53 million.
- The project will feature 89,208 solar panels and is expected to generate 72,921 MWh annually, contributing to Côte d’Ivoire’s goal of increasing its electricity capacity to 5,200 MW by 2030.
- Construction will create 160 jobs, and the plant will provide 30 permanent jobs upon completion, with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Katiola Solar Power will build a 50 MW solar power plant in Katiola, located in the Hambol region of Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivorian government and Katiola Solar Power, a subsidiary of JC-Monfort, signed the project convention on December 2, 2024. Katiola Solar Power will fully fund the project, which is valued at 32.897 billion CFA francs (around $53 million).
Katiola Solar Power will design, finance, build, own, and operate the plant. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, stated that the plant will help increase national electricity production. The project supports the country’s Production-Transport Master Plan 2022–2040, which aims to boost the nation’s electricity capacity from 2,907 MW to 5,200 MW by 2030 and 8,600 MW by 2040.
The solar plant will sit on a 60-hectare site in Katiola. It will feature 89,208 polycrystalline solar panels, each with a unit capacity of 560 Wc, totalling 49.96 MW of installed capacity. Katiola Solar Power will connect the panels to 207 inverters, each rated at 200 kW. The plant will deliver a net power output of 41.4 MW to the grid. The estimated annual production will reach 72,921 MWh.
The construction phase will create 160 direct jobs. Once the plant becomes operational, it will provide 30 permanent jobs. Katiola Solar Power plans to commission the plant in the fourth quarter of 2026, 15 months after the convention’s effective date.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Sangafowa-Coulibaly emphasised the importance of meeting deadlines to ensure the project’s success. He assured Katiola Solar Power of government support for navigating interactions with various involved administrations. The plant will significantly expand Côte d’Ivoire’s renewable energy capacity, supporting the country’s long-term energy objectives.
The project marks a key step in strengthening the country’s electricity sector. The Ivorian government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix. The Katiola solar plant will contribute nearly 50 MW to the national grid, aiding the achievement of these goals.
Once operational, the plant will reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. It will also meet growing electricity demand, supporting industrialisation and economic growth in the region. Solar energy will play a central role in diversifying the country’s energy mix and reducing carbon emissions.
The plant will have a positive environmental impact by providing clean, renewable energy. It will also serve as a model for future renewable energy projects in the country and West Africa.
The agreement between the Ivorian government and Katiola Solar Power marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance its renewable energy capacity. With continued investment and commitment from the public and private sectors, Côte d’Ivoire will reach its energy goals and contribute to a sustainable energy future.