USTDA, Côte d’Ivoire Partner on Grid Strengthening

Arlington, VA - Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced that it has awarded a grant to Cote d'Ivoire's Ministry of Finance for a feasibility study to help state-owned utility Côte d'Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) deploy a power grid emergency control system. This system, expected to be the first of its kind in Africa, will increase access to electricity and help stabilize the national grid to mitigate and prevent blackouts throughout the country. CI-Energies has selected Washington State-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to conduct the study.

"USTDA's partnership with Côte d'Ivoire continues to grow. Our latest collaboration is a significant step toward strengthening reliable energy access in the country," said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA's Director. "This project not only addresses Côte d'Ivoire 's immediate energy needs but also supports regional energy integration and expands opportunities for U.S. companies to provide their technologies and services."

The USTDA-funded study will support CI-Energies' deployment of a smart grid control system, known as a remedial action scheme, which will automatically detect and correct abnormal system conditions to maintain system reliability. Along with creating more reliable access to electricity for Ivorians, the system is intended to help integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid by balancing power generation with consumption in real time. It will also assist with regional energy market integration throughout the West African Power Pool, with the potential for replication in other countries.

"The feasibility study of the RAS system is a first on an electrical system in Africa, and CI-Energies is honored to carry out such a study within the framework of the technical support of USTDA," said Mr. Noumory Sidibe, Director General of CI-Energies. "This grant will allow us to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the Ivorian electricity grid by minimizing the risk of large-scale disturbances. We have high expectations regarding the study's results and are confident in the capacity of SEL selected to carry out this study."

U.S. Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Jessica Davis Ba, said: "This collaboration demonstrates the deep and enduring partnership between the United States and Côte d'Ivoire and our commitment to shared prosperity for all Ivoirians. A stronger national electricity grid means better service, cheaper energy, and greater opportunities for industrial development and American investment."

USTDA's support for this project also advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, USTDA's Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure and the U.S. government's Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

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