Cote d’Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire has a generally favourable regulatory framework for private sector participation and IPPs in particular. The environment and traditional contract structures within it are however most suited to natural gas IPPs, which represent about 70% of total electricity generation in the country. Under this framework, it is challenging for renewable energy IPP models to displace growing generation of non-renewable electricity.

The country has however made considerable progress to develop and support the financial and political infrastructure needed for renewable energy, although much of this is focused on state capacity. Meanwhile, the state-owned utility, Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) has established a renewable project pipeline and is negotiating to extend its distribution concession. The grid remains under the management of Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricité (CIE), majority-owned by Eranove Group, a French public limited utility company.

The country’s electricity code of 2014 provides a good basis for increased private participation in the sector, however, secondary legislation is needed for developers to create commercial PPAs with third parties. CIE’s concession agreement with the government expires in 2020 which provides the opportunity for authorities to renegotiate contracts with a broader range of sector stakeholders who are now able to participate in all segments of the market.

Generation:

In 2017, Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricité (CIE) (Ivorian Electricity Company) generated 27% of electricity. IPPs, including CIPREL, Aggreko and Azito generated 73% of electricity.

Transmission:

CIE has a de-facto monopoly on transmission operations. The assets are owned by CI-Energies, the organisation presiding over CIE.

Distribution:

CIE has a de-facto monopoly on distribution operations. The assets are owned by CI-Energies, the organisation presiding over CIE. In 2017, CIE had 1.89 million low voltage customers and 5,115 medium voltage customers. CIE's concession for distribution ends in 2020. Côte d'Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) is the utility in charge of planning, operational management and control of finances of energy infrastructure. They own all the public assets in the electricity sector. CI-Energies is directed by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy.

Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricité (CIE), managed by CI-Energies and owned by Eranove with 54% shareholding, is involved in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. They also manage IPPs. Ministère du Pétrole, de l'Énergie, et des Énergies Renouvelables (MPEER) (Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy) manages the vast majority of the energy sector.

Ministère de l'Economie et des Finances (Ministry of Economy and Finance) manages government assets and is responsible for financial management of state-owned assets. The ministry, thus, is involved with the activities of CI-Energies and ANARE-CI.

Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development) implements environmental sustainability policies. Policies such as electronic waste disposal are relevant for the energy sector. L'Autorité Nationale de Régulation du Secteur de l'Électricité de Côte d'Ivoire (ANARE-CI) (National Authority for the Regulation of the Electricity sector of Côte d'Ivoire) is the national electricity regulator. Association Ivoirienne des Énergies Renouvelables (AIENR) (Ivorian Association of Renewable Energies) promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Association des Professionnels des Énergies Renouvelables de Côte d'iVoire (APERCI) (Association of Renewable Energy Professionals of Ivory Coast) promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI) (Investment Promotion Centre of Ivory Coast) is the national investment promotion agency. It assists foreign investors with company registration and offers a wide-ranging investment guide.

IPPs include Azito, Ciprel and Aggreko.

Utility/distributor

Côte d'Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) is the utility in charge of planning, operational management and control of finances of energy infrastructure. They own all the public assets in the electricity sector. CI-Energies is directed by the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy.

Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricité (CIE), managed by CI-Energies and owned by Eranove with 54% shareholding, is involved in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. They also manage IPPs.

Ministry (Ministries)

Ministère du Pétrole, de l'Énergie, et des Énergies Renouvelables (MPEER) (Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Renewable Energy) manages the vast majority of the energy sector.

Ministère de l'Economie et des Finances (Ministry of Economy and Finance) manages government assets and is responsible for financial management of state-owned assets. The ministry, thus, is involved with the activities of CI-Energies and ANARE-CI.

Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable (The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development) implements environmental sustainability policies. Policies such as electronic waste disposal are relevant for the energy sector.

Regulator

L'Autorité Nationale de Régulation du Secteur de l'Électricité de Côte d'Ivoire (ANARE-CI) (National Authority for the Regulation of the Electricity sector of Côte d'Ivoire) is the national electricity regulator.

Others

Association Ivoirienne des Énergies Renouvelables (AIENR) (Ivorian Association of Renewable Energies) promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Association des Professionnels des Énergies Renouvelables de Côte d'iVoire (APERCI) (Association of Renewable Energy Professionals of Ivory Coast) promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI) (Investment Promotion Centre of Ivory Coast) is the national investment promotion agency. It assists foreign investors with company registration and offers a wide-ranging investment guide.

IPPs include Azito, Ciprel and Aggreko.

Côte d'Ivoire Normalisation (CODINORM), supervised by the Ministry of Industry, is the national standards agency. Technical standards are outlined in Decree Nr. 2016-1152 of 28 December 2016 on mandatory quality standards. The standards category that focuses on electrical, electronic and renewable energy products is the only relevant category outlined in the decree.