Ivory Coast has such a significant stamp: on the face of the stamp, with the backdrop of a deep blue lake and lush forests, the dam of the Soubre hydropower station stands tall. This is one of the commemorative packages for the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cote d’Ivoire in 2018. As a representative project of China Cote d’Ivoire cooperation, the Soubre hydropower station has been printed on stamps in Cote d’Ivoire for the second time.
This is a panoramic view of the Soubre hydroelectric power plant in Cote d’Ivoire taken on August 15, 2023. Xinhua News Agency (China Power Construction Supply Map)
The Soubre hydropower station is located in the Sassandra River basin in the southwest of the country and is currently the largest hydropower station in Cote d’Ivoire. In the past seven years of operation, this hydropower station has not only brought clean and reliable energy to local residents, but also become an important driving force for promoting regional economic development.
Cote d’Ivoire is located south of the Gulf of Guinea and has abundant river resources, which have great potential for the development of hydropower. The Sassandra River is its main river, winding through tropical rainforests from north to south, nourishing the rich flora and fauna along the coast and the villages that have been gathering for generations. As early as the 1970s, the government of Cote d’Ivoire proposed the idea of developing hydropower in the Sassandra River basin, but various reasons prevented this plan from being put into practice.
It was not until November 2017, when the Subei hydropower station, constructed by China Electric Power Construction Group Co., Ltd., was successfully completed and put into operation, that the dream of the Ivorian people for nearly half a century became a reality. The total installed capacity of the Subei hydropower station reaches 275 megawatts, with an average annual power generation of 1190 gigawatt hours, significantly optimizing the country’s energy structure and effectively promoting the development of clean energy.
Wazi Gofri, who is 20 years old, is an operator at the Subei hydropower station and graduated from the Electrical Engineering and Automation program. She said that the hydropower project has provided valuable opportunities for many local youth to learn welding, pipeline laying, mud tile and other technologies, and has ignited hope for their future.
Govery told reporters that the Subei hydropower project has also created a large number of job opportunities for the country. From the beginning of the project construction to its current operation, half of the residents in Subei have found jobs through it, and I also came here from Abidjan to work
This is a photo taken on November 2, 2017 of the Soubre hydroelectric power station in Cote d’Ivoire. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Baishun)
After the successful cooperation of the Subei hydropower project, the Ivorian government decided to continue entrusting the Geshipo Popoli hydropower station, Pudupuri hydropower station, Luga Phase 1 and Phase 2 hydropower station projects downstream of the Sassandra River to China Electric Power Construction for basin cascade development.
According to Hou Bing, the chief engineer of the Geshipo Popoli hydropower station, the station is expected to be fully delivered before the end of the year. Currently, two of the three generator sets have been put into use, and after completion, it will further increase the proportion of clean energy in the power structure of Cote d’Ivoire, providing green, stable, and cheap energy security for the country’s economic development.
Deng Yue, Deputy Country Representative of China Power Construction Corporation in Cote d’Ivoire, introduced that during the construction of the Subei hydropower station, the project directly created over 3000 job opportunities and indirectly drove more than 5000 job opportunities. Many local employees who participated in the construction of the Subei hydropower station continue to showcase their talents at the Geshipo Popoli hydropower station, gradually rising to management positions through project experience.
This is a photo taken on June 30, 2017 of the Soubre hydroelectric power station in Cote d’Ivoire. (Photo by Pan Siwei, Xinhua News Agency reporter)
Yao Michel Engeisan, who worked hard on the Subei hydropower project, was promoted from an ordinary electrician to a team leader at the Geshipo Popoli hydropower station with his down-to-earth and hardworking spirit.
Engaisan said that with this job, he not only achieved career development, but also raised his family and helped his younger brothers receive better education. Now my younger brothers are all taking me as an example, hoping to create a better life with their own hands by mastering skills
The Subei Hydroelectric Power Station is our pride, as it has improved the local natural landscape and the spiritual outlook of the people. “Former Secretary General of the Subei Provincial Government, Bonaventure Tiegegbe, said that this hydroelectric power station has now become a regional landmark, attracting a large number of tourists to visit. Thank you to the hydropower station, thank you to China, for giving us confidence in development