Côte d'Ivoire focuses on nuclear power for sustainable energy

Faced with steadily rising electricity demand and the limits of conventional energy sources, Côte d'Ivoire is turning to nuclear power as a strategic solution. At a workshop held in Abidjan on the National Electronuclear Programme (NEPIO), Bienvenu Essé Kouamé, Director General of Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, advocated the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) to guarantee reliable, low-carbon electricity tailored to the country's future needs.

With annual growth in electricity consumption of around 10%, driven by a dynamic economy and a birth rate of 2.9% per year, Côte d'Ivoire is facing growing energy challenges. The 2022-2040 Production-Transport Master Plan aims to increase installed capacity from 5,127 MW in 2030 to 8,604 MW in 2040, with renewable energies accounting for 45%. While these efforts are commendable, Bienvenu Essé Kouamé believes that they may soon reach their limits, hence the interest in SMR, a technology that is growing rapidly worldwide.

These small reactors, with outputs ranging from 10 to 350 MW, offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear power plants. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 25 GW of SMR projects are under development worldwide, appealing for their low cost and ability to provide stable, low-carbon energy.

In Côte d'Ivoire, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, where 600 million people have no access to electricity, SMRs could revolutionise the energy supply. Adapted to fragile networks and rural electrification needs, they respond to the realities of emerging economies. "SMRs are an opportunity to ensure sustainable energy and reinforce the stability of our network", emphasised Bienvenu Essé Kouamé, positioning Côte d'Ivoire as a potential African pioneer in this field.

There are a number of major challenges involved in realising this ambition. Convincing private investors, establishing a strict regulatory framework and overcoming socio-environmental reluctance will be crucial. The question of international partnerships is also central. Russia, with Rosatom, currently dominates the African nuclear market, but China, via its ACP100 reactors, and the United States, active in Ghana with SMRs, are serious candidates. South Korea and Canada, with their advanced technologies, could also play a key role in meeting Côte d'Ivoire's specific needs.

By integrating nuclear power into its energy mix, which is already rich in renewable projects, Côte d'Ivoire is banking on a balanced strategy to meet its long-term needs. If properly managed, this shift could not only secure the country's electricity supply, but also inspire other African countries to explore this path. All that remains is to turn this vision into reality, in a context where safety, training and social acceptability will be decisive.

With this project, Côte d'Ivoire has a clear ambition: to become a regional energy leader, combining innovation and sustainability to shape a sovereign energy future.