Côte d’Ivoire is expanding its renewable energy capacity with the commissioning of a new solar power plant in the northern town of Ferkessédougou, as the country seeks to diversify its electricity mix and strengthen energy security.

Named Ferké Solar, the facility is located in Sokoro 2, in the Tchologo region. It was inaugurated on July 3, 2026, by Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara, alongside Energy Minister Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly.

Built across 70 hectares, the plant features 73,341 photovoltaic panels and has an installed capacity of 52.42 megawatts-peak (MWp). The project required an investment of 41 billion CFA francs.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the facility is expected to generate approximately 90 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually while preventing an estimated 39,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. More than 370,000 households are expected to benefit from its production.

Developed by PFO Énergies, a subsidiary of PFO Africa, Ferké Solar is the country's second major solar photovoltaic power plant, following the facility in Boundiali. It is also the first large-scale solar project developed, financed and built by an Ivorian independent power producer.

The project is expected to support electricity access in northern Côte d’Ivoire, particularly for households, schools, healthcare facilities and businesses. More than 600 local jobs were created during its construction.

The commissioning comes as the Ivorian government seeks to increase the contribution of renewable energy to 46.3% of the national energy mix by 2035. Authorities have also announced plans to expand solar infrastructure across several regions, with a target of exceeding 1,300 megawatts of installed solar capacity by 2035.

Ferké Solar marks another step in the country's efforts to diversify its energy sources while responding to growing electricity demand.