Senegal Constructs West Africa’s First Utility Scale Wind Farm

Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye (PETN) is a wind farm with a capacity of 158.7MW and will consist of 46 Vestas wind turbines. Once completed in 2020, it will deliver clean, renewable wind power to over 2 million people in Senegal, providing over 450,000 MWh of energy per year. This represents an approximate 15% increase in generation capacity for the whole country of Senegal.

The project is one of several being built across Africa by renewable power generation company Lekela. The company hopes the wind farm will serve as a clean energy pathfinder for other African communities to follow. The construction site will create more than 400 jobs and kick off several projects to improve local agriculture, provide vocational training opportunities, and refurbish or build local infrastructure. It marks the start of a 20-year programme that will invest up to $20 million over the life time of the wind farm.

Chris Antonopoulos, Chief Executive Officer at Lekela commented, “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.”