Lekela’s Ayitepa wind project, located on the south eastern coastal region of Ghana, is in an advanced stage of development and working towards financial close, after which construction is expected to take about 18 months. The project will begin with 150 MW, with the potential to add a further 75 MW.

The Ayitepa wind farm will be an energy catalyst for Ghana, supplying 400 GWh of clean, economic and renewable energy per year for an expected 20 years to the national grid, It will also avoid 200,000 tons of CO₂ per year being emitted into the atmosphere.

The project currently has:

• A 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana that was initially signed in 2017 and has since been amended.
• A signed grid connection agreement with the Ghana Grid Company.
• Obtained all the permits required to begin construction including those required under Environmental and Civil Aviation Regulations.
• Completed all major environmental and social governance work streams to ensure that the project follows IFC’s Performance Standards and the Equator Principles.

Like with every Lekela project, providing long-term benefits beyond power to the local community is a key focus. The project will increase employment opportunities in the Ningo area during construction and operation. As part of the project’s commitment to the communities living nearby, it will set aside a portion of its annual revenues to support local investment schemes.

Initiatives to support local education, enterprise and the environment are being developed, and some have already commenced ahead of construction. For example, in March 2017 the wind farm completed a six-month project to refurbish three local schools to provide a safer and more effective teaching environment.