ABIDJAN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast plans to generate 150 megawatts (MW) of solar power by 2020, a senior official said on Thursday, in an effort to integrate more renewable energy into the power sector. West Africa’s largest economy, which produces most of its 2,200 MW of power from oil and gas, plans to generate 4,000 MW by 2020 to meet growing demand. It has yet to produce any solar power but expects annual output of 150 MW from four plants in the north of the country, said Sabati Cisse, Energy Director for Ivory Coast’s ministry of oil and energy. “We are encouraged by the fact that the installation cost of solar plants is more accessible than in previous years,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of an international meeting on energy-related technologies. The first 25 MW power plant, built by a subsidiary of Moroccan-based Nova Power in the northern city of Korhogo, will be operational before the end of the year, he said. Cisse added that Ivory Coast received 27 million euros ($30.8 million) from German state bank Kfw and 10 millions euros from the European Union to build a 37.5 MW solar power station in Boundiali. Another 25 MW plant and an $81.5 million 66 MW plant are also planned for the region, he added. ($1 = 0.8778 euros) (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly Editing by Sofia Christensen and David Goodman)
Ivory Coast has announced plans to install solar projects totalling 150 MW by 2020 as it aims to expand its renewable energy sector. The country is seeking to establish four solar facilities over the next two years, with the first 25 MW plant set to open in Korhogo this month. Ivory Coast has also been granted loans totalling $30.8 million from the EU and the German bank Kfw to establish a 37.5 MW facility in Boundiali, while additional 25 MW and 66 MW plants are also being planned for the northern region of the country.