EDF, within the Biovea Energy Consortium, officially launched on July 20, 2023, the construction of the first biomass plant in Ivory Coast, in the presence of the Minister of Energy. The foundation stone laying ceremony brought together all the stakeholders of the project: institutions, industrialists, financiers, builders but also the local communities and in particular the planters in the area.
The largest biomass power plant in West Africa
Located in the commune of Aboisso, approximately 100 km east of Abidjan, the 46 MW power plant will be powered by agricultural residues and will meet electricity needs of the equivalent 1.7 million people per year.
It is part of the National Action Plan for Renewable Energies 2014-2030 of Ivory Coast which aims to achieve 45% of its energy mix from renewable energies by 2030.
The project is a model of circular economy and will have strong social benefits: construction work on the power plant will create at least 500 local jobs. During the plant's operating period, more than 1,000 local full-time equivalents will be created directly, generating significant economic benefits and the creation of numerous stable indirect jobs.
The purchase of the biomass necessary for the operation of the plant will generate additional income for nearly 12000 planters in the region for 25 years, contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of the rural populations.
A true technological and industrial innovation, the project will help avoid 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 over 25 years of operation and make the Ivorian electricity system more reliable.
United within the Ivorian company Biovéa Energie, EDF (40 %), Meridiam (36 %) and SIFCA (24 %) have jointly developed this pilot project which benefits from the long term commitment of financial partners including the French Development Agency via its subsidiary Proparco and the PIDG Group operating under its subsidiary. The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by Ninety One, the designated fund manager.
The commissioning of this plant is scheduled for 2025. The consortium already aims to duplicate it in other agricultural basins in Ivory Coast.
Launch of the construction of the first biomass power plant in Ivory Coast on July 20, 2023
Launch of the construction of the first biomass power plant in Ivory Coast on July 20, 2023
