RISING majestically from the Sassandra River basin, Côte d’Ivoire’s Soubre Hydroelectric Power Plant stands as the nation’s largest and most significant hydropower facility. Since its official commissioning in November 2017, this landmark project has become a symbol of progress, delivering clean, reliable power to the region for nearly seven years and driving economic growth in both local and national contexts.
Built by the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), the Soubre plant boasts an impressive installed capacity of 275 megawatts. To date, it has generated around 9.5 billion kWh of electricity, boosting Côte d’Ivoire’s national power generation capacity by nearly 14 percent. This surge in energy production has not only helped address domestic power shortages but also enabled Côte d’Ivoire to export electricity to neighbouring West African countries, enhancing regional cooperation and development.
Kone Messamba, the former governor of the Soubre province, emphasised the plant’s critical role in Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitious goal of achieving emerging economy status by 2020. He highlighted how the station has been instrumental in stabilising the energy supply, which in turn has fostered industrial growth and improved the quality of life for local communities.
Beyond its energy output, the Soubre project has been a catalyst for social and economic empowerment in the region. During the construction phase, the project created over 3,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect posts, according to Deng Yue, PowerChina’s deputy representative in Côte d’Ivoire. These opportunities have provided valuable skills and employment for many local residents, contributing to the area’s socio-economic development.
One such beneficiary is Wazi Goffry, a 20-year-old electrical engineering graduate who now works as an operator at the Soubre station. For Goffry and others like him, the project has offered not just a job, but a pathway to a brighter future. The skills and experience gained have opened doors to further opportunities, including leadership roles in subsequent projects such as the Gribo-Popoli, Boutoubre, and Louga hydropower plants, which have also been entrusted to PowerChina by the Ivorian government.
The long-term impact of the Soubre project is evident in stories like that of Yao Michel N’guessan, who rose from being an electrician to a team leader at the new Gribo-Popoli hydropower station. N’guessan’s dedication and hard work have enabled him to provide for his family and support his younger siblings’ education, illustrating the transformative power of the project on individual lives.
The benefits of the Soubre station extend beyond job creation and energy production
The benefits of the Soubre station extend beyond job creation and energy production. The project has brought stable power to the Soubre region, fueling the growth of local industries such as food service, handicrafts, agro-processing, and tourism. The project’s positive influence on the local economy has been profound, with the reliable electricity supply providing a foundation for sustained industrial and commercial development.
The project’s construction phase was also marked by a strong commitment to minimizing disruption to local communities. Project teams worked diligently to reduce the number of affected villages from 38 to just three, ensuring that the impact on residents was kept to a minimum. Those who were relocated, like Esther Siagbe, were provided with new homes in resettlement villages built by the Chinese company. Siagbe now enjoys improved living conditions, including a bright, spacious house with a stable electricity supply.
Environmental considerations were also a key aspect of the Soubre project’s design. The plant maintains an ecological flow to protect the Nawa Falls and downstream ecosystems, safeguarding the natural beauty and cultural significance of the area. This commitment to environmental stewardship has ensured that the project not only meets energy needs but also preserves the region’s rich natural heritage.
‘The Soubre Hydroelectric Power Plant is our pride,’ Bonaventure Tiegbe, the former secretary-general of the Soubre provincial government, told Xinhua news agency. He noted that the station has become a regional landmark, attracting tourists and uplifting the spirits of the local people.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues to build on the success of the Soubre plant with new hydropower projects, the nation is poised to further strengthen its energy infrastructure and maintain its position as a leader in sustainable development in West Africa.
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