30-day notice: SODEN and DFCD

This project snapshot presents an overview of SNV’s collaboration with Société des Énergies Nouvelles (SODEN), a renewable energy company based in Côte d’Ivoire that develops, finances, and operates sustainable energy projects across West Africa. SODEN is co‑developing the ECOR Divo Project, a 76 MW biomass‑to‑power plant located in the Lôh‑Djiboua region. The facility will convert cocoa husks, shells, wood residues, and other agricultural by‑products into renewable baseload electricity under a 30‑year power‑purchase agreement with the Ivorian government. The plant is expected to generate around 550 GWh each year, supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s national target of reaching 42 percent renewable energy by 2030.

The project directly involves up to 36,000 smallholder cocoa farmers, who will benefit from strengthened climate‑resilient agricultural practices including orchard renewal, agroforestry, integrated pest management, and improved soil and water management. This approach helps secure a reliable biomass supply while contributing to rural livelihoods. SODEN’s experienced team has previously led the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s 46 MW Biokala palm‑waste power plant and is advancing a broader pipeline of 13 additional biomass projects totalling over 760 MW, drawing on residues from cocoa, rubber, cashew, cotton, and rice production.

The project is supported by a €500,000 grant from the DFCD Origination Facility, with an anticipated €6 million from SODEN and CFM’s CI2 development fund, and up to €325 million in expected leveraged financing. This investment contributes to low‑carbon energy development, increased farmer incomes, and enhanced climate resilience in Côte d’Ivoire.