(Ecofin Agency) - Upon the completion of construction works for the 275MW Soubré hydropower dam next October, the Chinese firm Sinohydro could build three other similar dams, in the country. The infrastructures should be located in Gribo Popoli, Louga, Boutoubre, (all across the Sassandra River) and produce respectively 112MW, 280MW and 156MW of electricity.

According to Bloomberg which reported the information citing Brahima Dosso, head of the Soubré project at Société des Energies de Cote d’Ivoire (CI-ENERGIES), which is in charge of public investment projects in power sector, talks with the Chinese company for the Gribo Popoli dam are actually ongoing.

Construction works for this project are expected to begin in October and last about 40 months. They should be funded by Eximbank China. Meanwhile, feasibility studies for the Boutoubre and Louga power stations are underway. These aim to determine the impact of the projects on indigenous populations and environment, Bloomberg indicates.

Let’s recall that the new development falls under Cote d’Ivoire’s power plan which aims at doubling its current output (4,000MW) by diversifying energy sources (with renewables contributing to 15% of its energy mix), by 2020. This is as power demand grows 10% each year.

Espoir Olodo