By Faridat Salifu
The Ivorian government has signed a concession agreement with Kong Solaire to construct a 50 MWp solar power plant in the northern region near the historic town of Kong.
The project developed under a public-private partnership (PPP), aims to generate over 97 GWh of clean electricity annually, serving approximately 240,000 people in Kong and its surrounding communities.
The solar power plant will be integrated into the national grid via a nearby transmission line and substation, providing electricity to both residential and commercial customers.
This initiative aligns with Ivory Coasts broader energy strategy, outlined by Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy.
It targets a tripling of the countrys electricity generation capacity from 2,907 MW to 8,600 MW by 2040, to support the nations economic growth and rising household demand.
The 50 MWp solar farm is an investment of 37 billion CFA francs (approximately 57.6 million euros). The necessary financing will be secured by Kong Solaires shareholders, including Ivorian firm Africa Via and InfraCo Africa, part of the UK-based Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), according to reports.
Following the concession agreement’s signing in Abidjan, Africa Via CEO, Minkaïla Salami expressed pride in the project’s development, noting it as the first significant photovoltaic venture in the Tchologo region.
This development follows the recent signing of a similar concession agreement for a 52 MWp solar power plant in Sokhoro, in the Ferkessédougou division.
As the solar power plant near Kong takes shape, it marks a significant step forward in Ivory Coasts commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.
Source: theelectricityhub.com