IRENA reports that Ivory Coast’s solar installations totaled 46 MW by the end of 2023.⁵

Ivory Coast’s solar ambitions include:

• 678 MW from 12 new plants by 2030
• Scaling up to 1,686 MW by 2040.⁶

Solar: Utility-scale solar PV projects have an average LCOE of approximately $0.049 per kWh.⁷

Hydropower: The average cost of electricity from the Soubre hydroelectric plant is approximately $0.032 per kWh.⁸

Thermal energy: Ivory Coast’s thermal energy electricity cost: $0.119-$0.231/kWh (avg.).³

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Thermal energy: 75%

Hydroelectric power: 24%

solar: 1%

The average power outage time in Ivory Coast surged by nearly 11 hours, from 17 hours and 52 minutes in 2021 to 28 hours and 59 minutes, indicating a decline in electricity grid stability.¹⁰

Ivory Coast’s self-consumption solar panel installation data is currently limited, but the country’s solar energy ambitions are evident in projects like the Boundiali solar power plant, which will electrify more than 430,000 households, showcasing its dedication to renewable energy growth.¹¹

From publicly available records, it seems like there are around 11 installed and projected solar power farms in Ivory Coast.¹²

• The second half of 2022 saw a significant 116% increase in market demand, reaching over 32,200 units, with the majority of growth attributed to the rising popularity of Solar Home Systems, especially larger capacity systems of 50Wp and above.¹⁰
• To enhance rural electrification, the MMPE is pursuing off-grid solar-based solutions. A USTDA-funded feasibility study, ‚Energy Access and Resiliency for 100 Communities‘, is evaluating the feasibility of building and operating decentralized solar mini-grids to bring energy access to 100 unelectrified communities in Côte d’Ivoire, serving around 190,000 individuals.¹³

Current Demand: As of 2023, Ivory Coast has an installed on-grid solar PV capacity of approximately 46 megawatts.⁵

Projected Demand: The Ivory Coast government has set ambitious targets for on-grid solar PV growth, aiming to install 678 MW of solar power by 2030 and nearly triple that capacity to 1,686 MW by 2040.⁶

Project Managers: $286.37 – $1365.66 per month¹⁴

Electrical Engineers: $332.49 – $928.92 per month¹⁵

General Labor Cost: approximately $552 per month¹⁶

As of 2024, the population of ivory coast is approximately 29,612,880 people.¹⁷

The overhead costs for solar panel production in Ivory Coast typically range from 20% to 25% of the total production cost.¹⁸¹⁹²⁰

Labor costs: Data on labor costs specific to machinery operation, panel assembly, and quality control in Ivory Coast is currently unavailable. However, the general labor market in Ivory Coast exhibits a salary range of $206.89 per month (minimum) to $425.28 per month (highest average), with bonuses included. It is important to note that salaries can fluctuate significantly depending on factors such as job title, geographic location, educational attainment, and level of experience.

Utilities Powering production lines is a key cost driver, with energy expenses ranging around $0.231 per kilowatt-hour, influenced by location-specific factors.

Water Costs The price range for mineral water in Ivory Coast varies from $0.05 to $0.17 per kilogram for wholesalers and $0.07 to $0.24 per kilogram for retailers.

Insurance In 2024, the property insurance market is expected to see an average per capita spending of $11.70, underscoring the growing acknowledgment of its importance in safeguarding assets.

Administrative expenses management of the production process incurs substantial overhead costs, primarily consisting of administrative expenses like staff salaries, office supplies, and miscellaneous general expenses.

Quality control expenses incurred to ensure the solar panels meet performance and safety standards, including testing and inspections.

Key data points about the Ivory Coast energy infrastructure are as follows:^10212223

Total Installed Capacity:

• The Ivoirian power sector has a total installed capacity of 2,548 MW, split between hydroelectric power (879 MW) and thermal power (1,669 MW), with the latter relying mainly on natural gas. The sector has also seen the addition of two new production units, contributing 279 MW to the national grid.

Electricity Generation:

• The country’s gross electricity generation rose by 6.3% in 2022, totaling 12,147.9 GWh, compared to the previous year’s output.

Electricity Consumption:

• Ivory Coast’s national power consumption rose to 11,442 GWh, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year (2021).

Grid Infrastructure:

• In Ivory Coast, private operators currently generate 70% of the country’s energy and manage its entire distribution network. By 2035, the grid aims to reach 99% of the population, with 42% of the energy mix coming from renewable sources.

Clean Energy Transition:

• To accelerate its transition to clean energy, Ivory Coast is implementing targeted investments and policies designed to upgrade its grid infrastructure and harness renewable energy sources.

In Côte d’Ivoire, 375,533 new households gained access to electricity, with 251,133 connections supported by PEPT, a program enabling low-income households to pay for electricity in installments over 10 years, starting with a $2 down payment. This increased the total number of legally connected households to 3,639,780, a 6% rise from 2021.

General Law on Climate Change: Ivory Coast is developing a comprehensive climate change law, which will be legally binding, to intensify its efforts in mitigating the impacts of global warming in the region.²⁴

Certifications: There are no specific certifications for solar panels in Ivory Coast but it’s essential to ensure that panels meet international standards.

Renewable energy professionals can demonstrate their proficiency and stay competitive in the global job market with certifications like NABCEP, which validate their skills and knowledge in meeting the industry’s demands.²⁵

Institutions & Energy Policy: The Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy is tasked with executing and tracking the national energy policy, with its hydrocarbons and energy directorates driving implementation, while also governing state-owned energy entities.

The Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition is also tasked with climate policy and renewables.²⁶

²⁷²⁸²⁹

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP:

Through the World Bank’s Scaling Solar program, Ivory Coast is teaming up with multinational companies to build solar plants, supporting the nation’s shift towards renewable energy and fostering economic expansion.

INVESTMENT OOPTURNITY:

Ivory Coast stands to gain a significant $9 billion investment boost by 2030 if it meets its renewable energy goals, creating new opportunities for economic expansion and prosperity.

DEVELOPMENT POLICY FOR THE EAST:

The Ivorian government has adopted a comprehensive development policy for the eastern region, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to bring solar-powered electricity to households and businesses, driving growth and prosperity.“

INCENTIVE POLICY:

The only existing policy supporting renewable energy is a preferential VAT rate for solar panels, providing a financial incentive for their use.

Boundiali solar farm:

• Sites/location: Boundiali, Boundiali Department, Bagoué Region, Savanes, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 38 MWp/dc.
• Status: Operating
• Commissioning year: 2022

Bondoukou Solar PV Plant:

• Sites/location: Bondoukou, Gontougo, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 50 megawatts.
• Status: Pre-Construction

Touba-Laboa Scailing solar farm:

• Sites/location: Touba, Touba Department, Bafing Region, Woroba District, Côte d’Ivoire, and Laboa, Woroba District, Côte d’Ivoire.
• Capacity of two of 30 MWp/dc.
• Status: Pre-Construction
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

Poro solar farm:

• Sites/location: Korhogo, Korhogo, Poro Region, Savanes, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 66 megawatts.
• Status: Pre-Construction
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

Ferkéssédougou solar farm:

• Sites/location: Ferkessédougou, Tchologo, Savanes, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 20 MWp/dc.
• Status: Construction
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

Odienne solar farm:

• Sites/location: Kabadougou, Denguélé District, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 25 megawatts.
• Status: Announced
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

Sérébou solar farm:

• Sites/location: Iffou, Lacs, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 20 megawatts.
• Status: Announced
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

Masdar Côte d’Ivoire solar farm:

• Sites/location: Gbêkê, Vallée du Bandama, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 70 megawatts.
• Status: Announced.

Benguébougou solar farm:

• Sites/location: Poro, Savanes, Côte d’Ivoire
• Capacity of 22.2 megawatts.
• Status: Announced.
• Commissioning year: 2024 (planned)

AMEA Power: AMEA Power is a renowned expert in solar PV projects, boasting a 1.2 GW+ portfolio spanning over 12 countries. They also venture into onshore wind energy and cutting-edge technologies like battery storage, green hydrogen, water desalination, hydropower, floating solar PV, and off-grid solutions, catering to the commercial and industrial sectors.³⁰

MASDAR: Masdar is a pioneering renewable energy company, actively developing and investing in a wide range of projects globally, including solar, wind, waste-to-energy, geothermal, energy storage, and green hydrogen. Their projects encompass utility-scale power generation, community grid initiatives, energy storage, efficiency solutions, and cutting-edge technology demonstrations.³¹

They make a significant global impact by assisting more than 40 countries in their transition to cleaner energy, while pioneering innovative solutions in solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and geothermal energy, to accelerate a low-carbon future.

CANADIAN SOLAR: Canadian Solar excels in producing top-tier solar PV modules, offering affordable solar panels, cutting-edge battery storage solutions, and expertly developing large-scale solar and energy storage projects globally, making renewable energy more accessible.³²

NOVA POWER: Global EcoPower (GEP), a French renewable energy company, has taken full ownership of Nova Power, a Moroccan developer, in an all-share deal. Nova Power boasts an impressive portfolio of solar power plant projects in Morocco, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso, including the notable Benguébougou solar farm developed and operated by its subsidiary Korhogo Solaire.³³

AVAADA ENERGY: is a Mumbai-based renewable energy leader, is revolutionizing the industry with its visionary approach to solar technology. From conceptualization to delivery, they excel in designing and manufacturing top-tier solar PV modules, while also harnessing the power of pumped hydro storage to uplift and empower communities.“.³⁴

BIOTHERM ENERGY: BTE Renewables, also known as BioTherm, is a South African leader in renewable energy, expertly delivering wind and solar projects from development to operation. With a focus on sustainable solutions, they specialize in biomass, waste-to-energy, and carbon markets, driving innovation in financing, construction, and project management to support a cleaner energy future.³⁵