ENGIE, a French electric utility company, and eleQtra, an African power and transportation project developer, have signed an agreement to develop and construct 50MW Ada Wind power project in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
The wind power project will need an investment of $120m and is expected to begin operations by early 2019. ENGIE will hold 40% share in the partnership of the project.
The Ada Wind power project, which was initiated by eleQtra, is located in the eastern side of the Greater Accra region as it has powerful wind resources, open land availability and transmission infrastructure access.
The project is expected to contribute to the Ghanaian government’s objective of generating 10% of its electricity from renewable resources. It is also in line with Ghana’s goal to emerge as a power generation hub in West Africa with the benefit of exporting power to its neighbours in the West African Power Pool.
eleQtra partner Ebbe Hamilton said: “eleQtra is delighted to have ENGIE joining the development of what we believe will be the first wind energy project in Ghana. We will now start the next phase of the development in order to bring the project as soon as possible into operation.”
ENGIE Western and Central Africa regional manager Philippe Miquel said: “The Ghanaian Government is looking to strengthen its renewable energy industry and is putting in place a regulatory framework that should encourage the electrification of the country in an affordable and sustainable manner.
“The Ada Wind Project will be instrumental in the diversification of Ghana’s energy portfolio. Our partnership will bring the technical experience, the local knowledge and the funding required to develop, construct and deliver this competitive 50 MW wind project.”