The construction of biomass-fired power plants would increase energy supply and help meet the increasing energy demand due to population growth. The largest power plants can benefit more than a million inhabitants (31).

Transitioning to biomass energy production could improve local health outcomes and reduce environmental impact, as biomass emits less CO₂ compared to conventional energy sources and poses fewer health risks than charcoal and wood burning (23, 49).

"Placing production plants near agricultural areas can ensure a reliable biomass supply and directly benefit nearby rural communities, which tend to face higher rates of energy poverty (6). "

Without strict supervision to ensure the enforcement of environmental and worker safety standards, neighbouring communities could face sanitary risks, and energy production might lead to increased CO2 emissions.

The use of agricultural waste for biomass energy could lead to unintended environmental consequences, such as soil degradation or reduced soil fertility, if the removal of crop residues reduces the organic matter that would otherwise decompose and enrich the soil. This could negatively impact agricultural productivity in the long term.

If adequate security measures are not enforced, there is a moderate risk for workers to suffer from explosions and fires caused by the burning of biomass (8).

Biomass energy is not carbon-neutral. Its emission are partly offset by the fact that the carbon released during the combustion is equal to the amount that the plants stored during their lifetime, but this type of energy production emits more than solar or wind, for instance.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: The production of energy from biomass is likely to affect the traditional activities of collecting and trading wood and charcoal, affecting the incomes of local populations.

Climate variability, especially droughts and floods, could disrupt the supply of biomass feedstock (such as cocoa husks or palm waste) needed for electricity generation, leading to lower than expected energy production and affecting the overall environmental and social impact.

Increased electricity generation from biowaste may limit other valuable uses of biowaste, including as fertilizer, which has been proven to be a low-carbon fertilizer (38).

If production increases by less than demand, and tariffs are too high, biomass energy production could have little impact on energy poverty.

Offer cheaper and greener energy to households and SMEs while generating revenues for farmers.

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan 2014–2030 (Plan d’action national des énergies renouvelables 2014-2030 or PANER) outlines key objectives for access to clean energy, notably through improved energy efficiency and use of biomass and solar energy (3).

The National Rural Electrification Program (Programme National d’Electrification Rurale or PRONER) outlines specific objectives per region to increase electricity access rate, with a budget of 400 bn FCFA (USD 665 million). Renewable energies, notably biomass, serve as support for the grid, particularly in localities which experience voltage drops exceeding 10% (3, 32).

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan ("Plan d’Action National d’Efficacité Énergétique" or PANEE) targets improvements in energy efficiency across various sectors from 2016 to 2030. This plan aims to reduce energy losses and promote biomass energy for both national electricity generation and as a sustainable alternative to charcoal and wood for household fuel use (33).

Côte d'Ivoire's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) stress the development of biomass plants as a key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A major objective of the country's revised climate strategies is the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), such as methane, black carbon, and fine particles (4).

Financial incentives: Development partners such as the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provide grants and loans for feasibility studies, and/or power plants construction (2, 27, 35).

Fiscal incentives: The 2018 Investment Code provides fiscal incentives for investments in renewable energies, including exemption from various commercial and profit taxes. It also offers an exemption from patents and licenses contribution and an 80% to 90% reduction of employers' contribution (41).

Energy sector is liberalizing production while maintaining a monopoly on distribution. No feed-in tariff exist but Côte d'Ivoire enforces Power Purchase Agreements where the government commits to buying energy at a set price for typically 25 years, ensuring stability for energy producers (2, 37).

Law No. 2014-132 (Electricity Code of 2014) supersedes the Electricity Law of 1985. This code facilitates private involvement in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and retailing, thereby dismantling the state monopoly (46).

Decree No. 2016-782 outlines the modalities surrounding electricity production, transport, dispatching, distribution and commercialization concessions, including the creation of a dedicated steering committee to supervise the negotiations (22).

Decree No. 2016-783 outlines the regulations applicable to the sale of energy from an independent power producer to the state or eligibility clients (51).

"Decree No. 2016-786 outlines the rules applicable to electricity pricing. The sale prices of electricity are set and revised by an interministerial order to ensure the financial balance of the electricity sector, covering the revenues of concessionaires and public service missions (25). "

Meridiam, EDF, Companie Ivoirienne d'Electricité, CI Energies, CIPREL, Azito, Aggreko, Biovéa, Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI).

Autorité Nationale de Régulation du Secteur de l’Électricité (ANARE-CI), Ministère des Mines, du Pétrole et de l'Enérgie, Ministère de la Salubrité, de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable, Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI).

US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Proparco, International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The Aboisso plant was developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the Biovéa Energie consortium of private enterprises awarded a 25-year concession under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework (47).