Lekela has broken ground on the almost 159MW Taiba N’Diaye wind farm in the west African country of Senegal.
The 158.7MW project will feature 46 Vestas V126-3.45MW turbines scheduled to come online in 2020.
It will generate about 400 jobs during construction, as well as a socio-economic programme to create sustainable livelihoods in the local community.
For example, a new marketplace has already been constructed for Taiba N’Diaye’s farming community, while a new IT centre is being built for local schoolchildren.
Lekela chief executive Chris Antonopoulos said: “Senegal has been quick to embrace the idea and the advantages of renewable energy. Between Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye and several solar power projects also underway, the country is building a clear clean energy template for other African communities to study and follow.
“Clean, reliable, energy, built quickly and that reduces the need to import expensive fossil fuels is an attractive combination. However, it takes the hard work and joined-up thinking of many people to turn that potent idea into 46 wind turbines and clean energy for 2 million people.
“Today, we celebrate that hard work and we thank everyone in Senegal and beyond who has helped us reach this point.”
Lekela is a 60:40 joint venture between Actis and a consortium led by Mainstream Renewable Power.