The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has inked a grant agreement with Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire to provide essential technical assistance for the establishment of a substantial 25-megawatt cotton stalk biomass power plant in the Boundiali region of Côte d’Ivoire.
Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire, the driving force behind this initiative, has enlisted the expertise of Delphos International Ltd., based in Washington, D.C., to execute the assistance program.
USTDA’s collaboration with Ecostar signifies a vital stride in diversifying Côte d’Ivoire’s power generation landscape by harnessing the abundant local potential of renewable resources.
Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director, highlighted the project’s importance in bolstering the country’s power generation capacity to accommodate its burgeoning economy.
Additionally, the venture opens doors for U.S. companies to partner with Ecostar, facilitating the supply of necessary equipment and services crucial for project realization.
Upon successful implementation, the biomass power plant will predominantly rely on cotton stalks sourced locally. This undertaking is poised to augment Côte d’Ivoire’s electricity generation capabilities, enhance the proportion of renewable energy sources within the nation’s energy mix, and offer an avenue for increased income generation for local farmers. Furthermore, it addresses the pressing issue of agricultural waste, which, if not repurposed, is typically burned, leading to detrimental air pollution.
“Like most African countries, the Ivorian economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. Biomass generated as a byproduct of farming activities could foster socio-economic growth in marginal regions through its capacity to enhance energy security. This grant from USTDA comes in a timely manner and covers all funding gaps needed to complete outstanding feasibility workstreams,” said Sylvain Kouame, CEO of Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire.
