An African developer co-owned by Dublin-based Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd. has erected the first of 46 turbines at "West Africa's largest wind farm" in Senegal.
The Taiba N'Diaye wind farm, located 90 kilometers northeast of Dakar, will host 46 Vestas Wind Systems A/S V126 turbines and generate 158 MW of electricity. The project will be developed by Lekela Power BV, Mainstream's African joint venture with London-based asset manager Actis.
Upon connection with the local grid later this year, the 158-MW wind farm will boost Senegal's generation capacity by 15%.
"We have ... worked closely with local stakeholders to create a 20-year social investment program that will benefit the local area," Lekela General Manager for Senegal Massaer Cisse said in an Aug. 1 release. "This includes initiatives that will create infrastructure and services for workers, and also encourage local enterprise and school education."
