EDF, Meridiam and SIFCA lay the foundation stone of the largest biomass power plant in West Africa*

Located in the Aboisso municipality, around 100 km East of Abidjan, the 46 MW power plant will use agricultural waste, and will produce enough electricity for 1.7 million people a year. It forms part of the 2014-2030 National Action Plan for Renewable Energy established by Ivory Coast, which has set a 45% target of renewable sources in its energy mix by 2030.

The project is based on the circular economy and will have major social spin-offs: the plant construction works will create at least 500 local jobs. There will also be the equivalent of over 1,000 direct full-time jobs during plant operation, giving rise to significant economic benefits and creating many steady indirect jobs.

The purchase of the biomass required for plant operation will generate new income for nearly 12,000 farmers in the region, over a period of 25 years, helping improve the standard of living of the rural population.

A major technological and industrial innovation, the project will save 4.5 million tons of CO₂ emissions over the 25-year operating period and will enhance the reliability of the Ivorian electricity system.

Under the umbrella of the Ivorian company BIOVEA ENERGIE, EDF (40%), Meridiam (36%) and SIFCA (24%) have co-developed this pilot project, which beneficiates from the long-term commitment of financial partners such as the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through its subsidiary Proparco, and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) operating under its subsidiary, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), which is administered by Ninety One, the appointed fund manager. This power plant is due to be commissioned at the end of 2025. The consortium is already intending to replicate it in other agricultural production areas in Côte d’Ivoire.

The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone brought together all the project stakeholders: institutions, industry, financiers, constructors, as well as local communities and in particular the farmers in the region.

Béatrice Buffon, Group Executive Vice-President in charge of EDF’s International Division, stated: “The EDF Group is proud to be part of this flagship project for low-carbon generation and the circular economy, which bears witness to our commitment to the energy transition in Ivory Coast. The collective efforts of partners, local stakeholders and the authorities have led to the successful completion of the development phase of this ambitious project and paved the way for entry today into a new phase with the start of construction works.”

Thierry Déau, CEO of Meridiam, added: “This project is yet another example of our ability to collectively implement concrete and lasting measures to support the ecological transition. This biomass power plant constitutes a virtuous circle of economic development and will not only create many local jobs, but also improve the productivity and income of local plantations and farmers.”

David Billon, CEO of Biokala, subsidiary of SIFCA group, stated: “The power plant, with a capacity of 46 megawatts, will be fueled by around 520,000 tons of palm tree waste supplied by the SIFCA Group subsidiary PALMCI. The use of these materials underscores SIFCA’s commitment to meeting the challenges of the sustainable management of natural resources and the fight against climate change.

Source: * https://biovea-energie.com/