African renewables developer Lekela has reached financial close on the 158.7MW Taiba N’Diaye wind farm in Senegal.
Construction will start soon on what the company said will be the country’s first utility-scale wind project, following financing from the US Overseas Private Investment Corp and Denmark’s export credit agency EKF.
Taiba N’Diaye, which is located 70km north of Dakar, will consist of 46 Vestas 3.45MW turbines, Lekela added.
Up to 400 jobs are expected to be created during peak construction.
The project is likely to contribute up to $20m to the local community over its lifetime.
The World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency is providing political risk insurance.
Lekela chief operating officer Chris Ford said: “This is a major milestone for Senegal, and for Lekela. As the first utility-scale wind power project in the country, Taiba N’Diaye forms a critical component of Senegal’s clean energy strategy.
“Taiba N’Diaye is just one of several Lekela projects currently in operation, construction or development. At present, the company’s pipeline consists of over 1300MW across projects in Egypt, Ghana and South Africa, as well as Senegal.”
Lekela is a 60:40 joint venture between Actis and a consortium led by Mainstream Renewable Power.
Image: Mainstream Renewable Power
Lekela banks 159MW in Senegal
By EBS