Who builds a solar power plant in Ivory Coast?

RMT builds a 37.5 MWp solar power plant and installs Boundiali photovoltaic solar power plant in northern Ivory Coast was built in partnership with the country’s government, in particular CI-ENERGIES, and with financial support from Germany. It has been in operation since July 2023.

Why did Ivory Coast build its first solar power plant?

As part of its drive to diversify electricity generation sources and increase the share of renewable energies in its energy mix (45% by 2030), Ivory Coast commissioned RMT to build the country's very first photovoltaic solar power plant, with a capacity of 37.5 MWp, spread over 69,440 550 Wp solar panels and 168 inverter-strings of 250 kVA.

How many solar plants will Ivory Coast have?

The Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Mines, Oil, and Energy has unveiled plans to build 12 solar plants with a total capacity of 678 MW. Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, the Ivory Coast’s Minister of Mines, Oil and Energy, has announced plans to install 678 MW of solar capacity by 2030 and 1,686 MW by 2040.

Who financed the Ivory Coast solar power station?

The 75.6-million-euro ($82.1-million) cost of building the solar power station was financed by Ivory Coast, a German loan and a European Union grant. "This is the result of the EU's long-standing commitment to the renewable energy sector, with almost 140 million euros since 2017," EU ambassador to Ivory Coast Francesca Di Mauro told AFP.

Where does Ivorian energy come from?

Solar power is currently a small part of the Ivorian energy mix -- the Boundiali plant contributes just one percent of national production. Nearly 70 percent of the country's electricity comes from gas-fired thermal power plants, while hydroelectric power stations account for the rest, all located in the south.

Does Ivory Coast need fossil fuels?

By 2030, Ivory Coast has pledged to increase its share of renewable energy to 45 percent, including nine percent solar, and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. Fossil fuels however still play a key role. The West African nation recently discovered two huge oil and natural gas deposits.