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Cote d’Ivoire

Renewable Energy Potential

Physical Potential

Information and data on renewable energy resource and market potential in Côte d’Ivoire are limited. The remaining large hydropower potential has been roughly estimated in the past. Solar irradiation levels indicate good potential for PV installations and biomass power potential is thought to be considerable. According to existing data, wind and geothermal energy have a comparably low potential for electricity production.

Solar Potential

Côte d’Ivoire receives abundant solar energy. The solar potential in the country ranges from 2.0-6.0 kWh/m2/day, with an average of six hours of sunshine a day, indicating moderate potential for this form of energy. The solar energy resource is generally greater in the north of the country. The annual potential for photovoltaic installations is 10,325 TWh. In terms of solar projects, a 20 MW solar power plant in Korhogo and a 50 MW power plant in the Poro region are due to be commissioned in 2017. In addition, public lighting projects using solar street-lamps are ongoing. The Strategic Action Plan for the Electricity Sector by 2030 has plans to retrofit existing rural diesel grids with PV. Furthermore, household applications and isolated PV grids will play a major role in rural electrification. The Plan foresees the completion of at least 12 pilot projects in rural areas.

 

Source: GeoModel Solar s.r.o

Wind Potential

There are no specific wind data available besides those for civil aviation compiled by the Société d’Exploitation et de Développement Aéroportuaire, Aéronautique et Météorologique (SODEXAM). These measurements, taken at 12m above the ground, range on average from 1-2m/s. San Pedro on the southwest coast and Korhogo in the north have recorded wind frequencies of 20-35% for wind speeds above 6m/s. Wind speeds in Bouake in central Côte d’Ivoire and Touba in the west are greater than 4m/s, with frequencies of 20-45%.

Hydro Potential

Unexploited hydropower potential in Côte d’Ivoire has been estimated at about 1,900 MW. Four large identified hydroelectric sites remain undeveloped. These have capacities ranging from 5 to 288 MW. Several other are feasible for the installation of small plants with capacities from 0.5 to 5 MW. The theoretical potential of hydropower identified in a study by Électricité de France in 1980 amounts to 46 TWh/annum, with an economically exploitable potential of approximately 12.4 TWh, i.e. 27 % of the theoretical potential. As part of the 2020 plan, new projects have been identified totalling a capacity of 1,150MW.

Bioenergy Potential

Côte d’Ivoire has one of the best potentials for electricity generation from biomass in Africa (agro-industrial waste and household waste) with an annual capacity of 12 million tons of biomass. The private sector is interested in this energy source both for captive power consumption and grid export. Some factories have been using biomass to generate electricity for their own consumption for years. One palm oil producer has installed an anaerobic digestion plant. The first palm biomass-fuelled plant of Côte d’Ivoire, the Biokala project, realized by SIFCA and EDF, will become the largest biomass plant of Africa at 46 MW. The plant will be fuelled by 400,000 tonnes of vegetal waste from palm oil production. A 8.5 MW plant, powered by biogas produced from the Akouedo landfill site is also being developed. Other projects include Aboisso Biomasse (18.3MW) and Sitrade (4.2MW).

 

Map of distribution of biomass potential in Côte d’Ivoire

Source: CI-ENERGIES

Key figures

Available statistics:
Capital
Yamoussoukro
Official language
French
Population (2018 est.)
25,069,229
Population growth (2018 est.), %
2.55
Median age (2018 est.), years
18.5
Urbanization rate (2010 - 2015), % p.a.
3.4
Urban population (2018), % of total
50.7
Rural population (2018), % of total
49.2
Population density (2018), per km2
78.8
HDI (2015)
170 of 188
National Currency
West African CFA franc (CFA/XOF)
Exchange rate (July 2019), EUR
600
GDP (2018), USD million current
43,000.70
GDP growth (2018), %
7.4
GDP annual growth rate forecast (2020), %
7.0
GNI per capita (2018), PPP current int’l USD
4,030
Inflation (Feb. 2019), % y-o-y
1.2
Inflation Rate Forecast (2020), %
1.8
Foreign Direct Investment, net inflows (2017), BOP current USD millions
972.6
Net official development assistance (2017), current USD millions
857.45
Budget deficit (2018), % of GDP
3.8
Ease of Doing Business (2018), rank of 190
122
TI Corruption Index (2018), rank of 180
105
Installed Generation Capacity (2017), MW
1,914
Installed Fossil Fuel Capacity (2016), % of total installed capacity
68
Hydro Capacity (2017), % of total installed capacity
40
Other RE Capacity (2017), % of total installed capacity
<1
Renewable electricity output as % of total electricity output excl. hydro (2016)
0
Avg. distribution and transmission losses as % of output (2017)
22
Net electricity exports (2015), GWh
849
Electrification rate, total (2017) %
65.6
Electrification rate, urban (2017) %
94.3
Electrification rate, rural (2017) %
36.6
Peak demand (2015), MW
1,193
Per capita electricity consumption (2016), kWh
290
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