GE Vernova, a global energy equipment manufacturing and services company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been selected to supply gas power technology for the 372-megawatt (MW) Songon combined-cycle power plant near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2029.
The company will provide a 9E gas turbine and generator for the facility, following its selection by Songon Energies, an Ivorian development investment company, according to a company press release.
The plant is expected to account for up to 12 per cent of Côte d’Ivoire’s total installed power capacity and create up to 1,400 jobs. Its development follows the signing of financing agreements in June.
Wang Xiaoming, Deputy General Manager and Acting Chief Executive Officer of Songon Energies, said the project was designed to strengthen energy security and meet growing electricity demand in the Greater Abidjan region.
The facility will be built by China Energy International Engineering Co., Ltd., which will serve as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
GE Vernova’s responsibilities will extend beyond the supply of the turbine and generator to include work on a high-voltage substation, digital software and long-term service agreements.
Joseph Anis, Chief Executive Officer of Gas Power in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at GE Vernova, outlined the broader scope of the company’s involvement in the project.
The development comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to expand electricity access and respond to rising demand. The country recorded an electrification rate of 94.3 per cent by 2024 and has set a target of achieving universal electrification by 2030.
Electricity demand in the country is growing by an estimated 10 to 15 per cent annually, placing increasing pressure on power generation capacity.
Once operational, the Songon plant is expected to contribute to meeting the region’s electricity needs while supporting the country’s broader efforts to strengthen energy security and expand access to electricity.
