Côte D’ivoire Commissions 52.4 MW Ferke Solar Plant, First Locally Developed Ipp Solar Project

Côte d’Ivoire has officially commissioned the 52.4 MW Ferke Solar Plant in Ferkessédougou, marking a major achievement in the country’s renewable energy sector. The project is the first Independent Power Producer (IPP) solar power plant in the country to be fully developed and financed by a local Ivorian company, highlighting the growing capabilities of domestic businesses in delivering large-scale clean energy projects.

The solar plant was developed by PFO Energies, a subsidiary of PFO Africa, under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. The successful completion of the project reflects the increasing role of local companies in Africa’s energy transition. Large renewable energy projects in the region have traditionally depended on international developers and foreign investment. However, the Ferke Solar Plant demonstrates that local firms now possess the technical expertise, financial strength, and project management capabilities to independently execute major infrastructure developments.

Located in the northern region of Ferkessédougou, the 52.4 MW facility will strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s national electricity grid by supplying clean and reliable solar power. The project will also help reduce the country’s dependence on conventional power generation, which is largely based on hydropower and natural gas-fired thermal plants. By increasing the share of renewable energy in the national power mix, the plant is expected to improve energy security while supporting sustainable economic growth.

The commissioning of the Ferke Solar Plant aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s long-term energy strategy to diversify its electricity generation sources. The government has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy to 45 percent of the country’s total electricity mix by 2030. The new solar facility represents an important step toward achieving this objective while contributing to lower carbon emissions and a cleaner energy future.

With the successful delivery of the Ferke Solar Plant, Côte d’Ivoire has demonstrated that locally developed renewable energy projects can play a leading role in accelerating the country’s clean energy transition and supporting long-term sustainable development.