Construction of Singrobo-Ahouaty hydropower plant project nears completion

Works on the Singrobo-Ahouaty hydropower plant project, in Côte d’Ivoire, is nearing completion. Christophe Blairon, CEO of IHE confirmed the report and pointed out that all civil engineering and hydro-mechanical works are in the final stages, and only the electro-mechanical phase remains outstanding.

The Singrobo-Ahouaty Hydropower Development Project on the Bandama River, addresses the Ivorian government’s concern to diversify the energy mix following an increase in thermal power generation in recent years. The project is the first private sector-funded climate action operation in West Africa and construction began three years ago.

The project comprises the design, development, operation and transfer of a 44 MW hydroelectric plant and a 3.5 km transmission line and substation to evacuate the power generated onto an existing transmission line.

READ:Sakai solar power plant becomes operational

Concession agreement

The power plant will operate under a 35-year concession agreement with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire (GoCI). The loan, granted under the private sector window of the African Development Bank, also aims to promote and support Ivorian private entrepreneurship, through financial support and expertise provided to the local promoter of the hydroelectric power station.

The facility could supply electricity to 100,000 households and reduce Côte d’Ivoire’s CO2 emissions by 109,000 tons annually. The project will create 500 jobs during the construction phase, including 150 skilled jobs and 28 jobs during the operational phase. It provides for the construction of a 4 km access road connecting the dam site to the village of Ahouaty, thus reducing travel time for the inhabitants. The plant will diversify Côte d’Ivoire’s energy mix to achieve the government’s goal of generating 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.