Cote d'Ivoire - Energy Cote d'Ivoire - Energy
This is a strong prospect industry sector for Côte d’Ivoire. With one of the best energy infrastructure in the region, the government has grand ambitions of making the country a West-African electricity hub
Overview
Energy is a top priority as it is essential to maintain the country’s high rate of economic growth. The Ivoirian government adopted an ambitious National Development Plan that calls for investing $20 billion and producing 4000 megawatts by 2030. So far, the government has been able to keep up with that plan through extensions of existing thermal power plants.
Such interest in energy is not new. Up until two decades ago, the country was heavily reliant upon hydroelectric power and fell into an energy crisis when the electricity output from its dams was drastically reduced due to droughts. Côte d’Ivoire became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to turn to independent power producers (IPPs) to meet energy demand. Allowing private firms to operate in this sector gave Côte d’Ivoire the ability to respond rapidly to its growing energy needs. Today, there are three IPPs in Côte d’Ivoire: Ciprel (556 megawatts), Azito Energie (440 MW), and Aggreko (210 MW). The grid has reached 49% of coverage and the electricity access rate is 80%. The electricity sector has undergone significant reform and new regulations have helped foster a more welcoming environment. The government wants to explore economical off-grid solutions to expand public access to electricity. The government announced that it will privatize the distribution of electricity by 2020.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues to look for investors in the power sector, the government is exploring ways to expand its energy resources. Several offshore blocks are open for oil/gas development. The government announced plans to expand domestic gas and import and install a regasification facility through a LNG consortium in association with the private sector. Two new thermal plants will operate on coal. In 2018, the government awarded a competitive tender to a company using U.S. equipment to develop a solar farm. The government is also promoting the development of biomass energy using discarded cocoa shells.
Côte d’Ivoire’s installed electrical generation capacity is estimated at 2,200 megawatts (MW). Urban electrification is pervasive and most urban-dwellers have access to electricity. The government is increasingly focused on rural electrification through expansion of the grid and the development of off-grid providers. Côte d’Ivoire regularly exports electricity to its neighbors and is setting its sights on increasing its exports of electricity to its neighbors Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in the coming years.
The Ivoirian government is giving priority to hydroelectric projects to increase generation of renewable and less expensive energy. In order to develop this type of project, the government is focusing on public-private partnerships. The government’s goal of developing a balanced energy mix should encourage private hydroelectric production as well as the use of new and renewable sources of energy. This ambition is reflected in energy policies designed to enable private sector initiatives.
Products and services with immediate need or potential in Côte d’Ivoire include:
- New Plant Equipment and Related Systems
- Process Automation and Systems Control Equipment
- Gas-to-Power Technologies
- LNG supply and re-gasifying related systems
- Renewable Energy Solutions
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (DSM)
- Transmission and Distribution Equipment
Electricity Demand and Export
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 (Estimated) | |
| National demand | 7,752.97 | 8,485.47 | 9,318.69 | 9,890 |
| Total Exports | 855.09 | 1,648.00 | 1,550.00 | 1,750.00 |
| Total Imports | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Imports from the U.S. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Figures in GWh ; N/A = Not Available
Launched in 2013, Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. It offers private sector entities tools and resources to facilitate doing business in Africa’s power sector. In 2016, the Electrify Africa Act institutionalized Power Africa. Learn more about the full Power Africa toolbox or other opportunities offered by Power Africa.
Leading Sub-Sectors
Solar energy and renewables are promising as they are relatively cost-effective and sustainable. LNG supply is also a good prospect. The government has shown interest in developing biomass using discarded cocoa shells. Improving the delivery of electricity through better transmission and the reduction of line losses is another priority.
Opportunities
Some parts of the public lighting system and traffic lights in Abidjan are sourced from solar energy. The rural lighting system is still a challenge and the development of off-grid solutions using solar is in demand.
Web Resources
Bureau National d‘Etudes et de Développement (BNETD)
Côte d’Ivoire’s Investment Promotion Centre (CEPICI)
Ministry of Energy
Côte d’Ivoire Energies
Agence Nationale de Régulation du secteur de l’électricité
Annual report from CIE