Lekela, the renewable power generation company that delivers utility-scale projects across Africa, has announced that the first 20 turbines at West Bakr Wind farm have been successfully synchronised, with the wind farm now providing power to the grid
Located 30 kilometres north-west of Ras Ghareb, West Bakr Wind is due to become fully operational by the end of 2021. Construction began on the wind farm in September 2019, and the first turbines were installed in late December 2020.
The project is part of the Egyptian government?s Build, Own Operate (BOO) scheme, a key part of the government?s ambitious aims to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2022. West Bakr Wind will produce over 1000 GWh every year for 20 years and prevent more than 550,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. On its own, West Bakr Wind will increase Egypt?s wind capacity by 18%.
The project will have a long-term impact beyond just generating electricity for 20 years. As with all of Lekela?s projects across Africa, the West Bakr Wind Farm has a long-term commitment to the nearby local community of Ras Ghareb. The development of the next stage of this sustainable community plan is underway.
As well as creating jobs during the construction period, Lekela is supporting the local community through a number of socio-economic initiatives. These include its Women Empowerment Programme, which is focusing on skills development for women in Ras Ghareb including a Female Engineering Apprenticeship Programme specifically aimed at increasing female participation in the renewables sector in Egypt.
In addition, Lekela has announced that it will invest in consultancy services and training equipment, and has already sponsored eight trainees from nearby Ras Ghareb, creating sustainable jobs for the community and supporting the local ecosystem.
Faisal Eissa, general manager for Egypt at Lekela, said, ?With the first turbines at West Bakr wind farm reaching synchronisation, we are one step closer to providing Egypt with clean, renewable wind power.?
