BIOVEA becomes West Africa's largest biomass power plant
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on 7info and AIP
Illustrative image · Tanhauser Vázquez R. · Pexels · Licence PexelsThe BIOVEA biomass power plant, located in Ayébo in Aboisso Department, was inaugurated on 5 November 2026 with an installed capacity of 46 megawatts. Built on a turnkey basis by China Energy Engineering Corporation, it is presented as West Africa's largest biomass power plant, according to AIP.
BIOVEA is expected to produce 348 GWh annually, enough to regularly supply around 1.7 million people in Aboisso and three neighbouring departments. It is expected to use 520,000 tonnes of agricultural residues each year, including oil palm leaves, and prevent the emission of 180,000 tonnes of CO₂. Ash from combustion can be returned to agricultural land.
The project is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs during its construction and operating phases. The purchase of oil palm residues is also expected to provide a regular additional income to 12,000 farmers.
The inauguration ceremony brought together, among others, Minister of State Nialé Kaba, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, and the ambassadors of France and China to Ivory Coast. Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly welcomed the completion of the project, while Nialé Kaba congratulated the teams that had brought the project to completion.
During construction, CEEC adapted the site to the rainy season and coordinated standards, the manufacture and customs clearance of equipment. The various specialities applied more than 300 international standards and developed several technical solutions that were unprecedented in the region.
