Actis-backed Lekela’s West Bakr wind farm became fully operational yesterday: Renewable power generation company Lekela Power announced yesterday (pdf) that its 250 MW wind farm in West Bakr is live after less than two years of construction. Built under a build-own-operate (BOO) framework, the USD 350 mn project will increase Egypt’s wind energy capacity by 18% and prevent more than 550k tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

West Bakr is targeting energy production of over 1k GWh every year for 20 years. Siemens Gamesa installed and connected 96 turbines for the project, after completing the installation of the first 20 turbines over the summer. The Actis-backed power company had previously said it plans to direct most of its investments towards Egypt in the coming years, and to implement projects with a combined capacity of 500 MW in the country.

Footing the bill: The wind farm was financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, and the US International Development Finance Corporation.

Lekela is also launching two sustainable development programs in West Bakr that will see the company provide women in the area with vocational training as well as help protect local biodiversity such as migratory birds.

An ambitious national target: Egypt is aiming to produce 42% of its energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade, a target announced during the COP26 climate summit earlier this month. This is five years quicker than its previous target.