Ivory Coast Turns On 112-MW Gribo-Popoli Hydropower Plant

On 2 may 2025, Ivory Coast inspected the Gribo-Popoli Hydropower Plant (HPP) on the Sassandra River, not far from the Soubre Dam, in the south-western region of the country. The HPP is rated at 112 MW and necessitated an investment of nearly FCFA 250 billion (USD 430 million): China Export-Import Bank (CEXIM) financed 70%, while the Ivorian Government put up the remaining 30%.

Work kicked off in August 2021 and capped up in December 2024. The replenishment of the reservoir behind the dam took place in March 2025. The 225 kV substation was commissioned at the end of March 2025.

So far, 1,556 households out of 1,647, accounting for 85% of displaced households, have already been compensated. The total budget allocated for the compensation amounts to FCFA 10.7 billion.

The project was implemented by SinoHydro under the supervision of Cote d’Ivoire Energies. The construction of the dam integrated certain innovations to enhance security and mitigate its impact on the biodiversity in the region.

The HPP will contribute to boost #ElectricityAccess without increasing harmful emissions. As per its #EnergyTransition plan, Ivory Coast is aiming to achieve at least 40% of renewables in its #EnergyMix by 2030.

During his address, Ivorian Minister of Energy Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly underscored that this is the 2nd major hydropower station, after the 275 MW Soubre #HPP, completed by the Government under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara.