After a period of research beginning in 1977, construction work began on the BUYO hydroelectric dam on the Sassandra River in 1977. Commissioned in 1980, it is the largest artificial lake in West Africa. Its catchment area covers 46,250 km2.  The volume of water in the reservoir is over 8 billion m3. The plant is equipped with 3 turbines, each rated at 55 MW. Its hydroelectric power station has a total capacity of 15 MW and an output of 13 m3/km². The energy produced is transported to ABIDJAN, other departments and foreign countries via high-voltage lines. It has also enabled the development of fishing activities on the BUYO artificial lake.