Côte d'Ivoire Targets Over 1,300 MW of Solar Power by 2035

With Ferké Solar, Côte d'Ivoire opens a new chapter in its energy policy. The inauguration of this 52 MWp photovoltaic power plant in Ferkessédougou on July 4 is not merely the commissioning of the country's second solar farm. It marks the starting point of an explicit scale shift: Abidjan now intends to bring its installed solar capacity to over 1,300 MW by 2035 in order to support industrialization, strengthen its energy sovereignty, and accelerate the decarbonization of its electricity mix.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, and the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.

A New Milestone in Solar Deployment

With an installed capacity of 52 MWp spread across 70 hectares using 73,341 latest-generation photovoltaic panels, Ferké Solar becomes the second large-scale photovoltaic plant commissioned in Côte d'Ivoire, following the first phase of the Boundiali plant (37.5 MWp), inaugurated in April 2024.

The facility will generate nearly 90 GWh of electricity per year enough to supply hundreds of thousands of households while avoiding approximately 39,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, representing over one million tonnes over its operational lifetime.

Estimated at 41 billion FCFA, the project is spearheaded by PFO Énergies, a subsidiary of the Ivorian group PFO Africa. It stands as the first solar project of this magnitude to be developed, financed, and operated by an independent Ivorian power producer. Launched in February 2025, it was completed within thirteen months.

Heading Toward Over 1,300 MW by 2035

For the government, this inauguration goes far beyond simply turning on an extra power station.

"In line with the vision of the President of the Republic, this ceremony is part of Côte d'Ivoire's strategy to accelerate its energy transition by diversifying its electricity mix. The target is to increase the share of renewable energies to 45.3% of the energy mix by 2035," reminded Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.

The minister announced that several other photovoltaic plants will see the light of day over the coming years notably in Korhogo, Katiola, Tengréla, Bouna, Kong, Bondoukou, Dabakala, Touba, and other locations in order to push the country's installed solar capacity beyond 1,300 MW.

This ambition rests on an already well-identified project pipeline. Beyond Boundiali and Ferké Solar, power plants are scheduled or under development in Bondoukou (50 MWp), Katiola (50 MWp), M'Bengué (50 MWp), Kong (50 MWp), Tengréla (50 MWp), Korhogo (16 MWp), Touba-Loboa (60 MWp), Sérébou (25 MWp), Mankono (50 MWp), Odienné (50 MWp), and Soubré (25 MWp).

This new roadmap represents a major shift in scale. Previous roadmaps targeted around 678 MW of photovoltaic capacity by 2030. By raising its target to over 1,300 MW by 2035, the government demonstrates its commitment to accelerating solar integration into an electricity grid that remains predominantly powered by thermal plants.

A Public-Private Partnership Model

Beyond its energy scope, Ferké Solar also illustrates the authorities' strategy to mobilize more private capital for infrastructure financing.

The project was financed through a combination of private equity, international concessional funding, and African development institutions.

According to Clyde Fakhoury, Director of PFO Africa, the chosen model relies on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mechanism.

"PFO Énergies finances, builds, and operates this plant before transferring ownership to the State. The risk is borne by the private sector, while the long-term asset value benefits the State without adding to sovereign debt," he explained.

[...] and invited technical and financial partners to continue their support.

Strengthening Energy Sovereignty

Source originale : Sika Finance