BIOVEA Energie to build 46 MW oil palm waste biomass power plant in Ivory Coast

In the Ivory Coast, France’s EDF, Meridiam and Biokala, through their joint venture BIOVEA Energie, have awarded TSK a new project in Ivory Coast. This time it is a 46 MW biomass plant located in Aboisso, 100 km east of Abidjan, which will be the largest plant in West Africa fueled by waste from palm farms, and will generate enough electricity to supply 1.7 million people throughout the year.

This project is part of the Ivory Coast’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan for 2014-2030, which aims to achieve a 42% share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030. The aim of this project is to support Ivory Coast’s agro-industrial sector and contribute to the objectives set by the country at the time of COP21. Over the duration of the concession contract, this biomass power plant will enable Ivory Coast to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4.5 million metric tons.

The biomass fuel comes from the waste of the leaves of locally grown palm trees and contributes to the fight against deforestation and extensive agriculture, promoting good agricultural practices and increased crop yields. The Biovéa project is replicable and constitutes a source of circular economy, with positive impacts on the agricultural sector, including improved living conditions for rural populations and additional income of up to 20% per year for nearly 12,000 farmers. Farmers will also benefit from the supply of combustion ashes to be used as natural fertilizer.

At least 500 jobs will be created during the execution of the plant, and another 1,000 full-time equivalent local jobs will be created during the plant’s operation, which implies the creation of numerous stable indirect jobs and significant economic effects.

TSK will apply the highest health and safety standards in this project, which will have a direct impact on the rest of the subcontracted companies, thus creating safer working environments for everyone.

Financing is guaranteed by the consortium members and financial partners, including the French Development Agency with its subsidiary Proparco and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.