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Renewables

EBRD provides $252 million loan for 250 MW wind farm in Gulf of Suez

EBRD wind
Posted: August 14, 2019 at 1:04 pm   /   by   /   comments (0)
  • EBRD, IFC and OPIC providing US$ 252 million loan to a project company owned by Lekela Power BV
  • Funds will finance 250MW wind farm in the Gulf of Suez
  • Clean energy expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 550,000 tons per year

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is stepping up its support for renewable energy in Egypt by providing funds to one of the biggest wind farms in Africa.

A joint US$ 252 million investment by the EBRD, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), will finance a new 250MW wind farm in the Gulf of Suez.

The second privately-owned wind farm in Egypt will be constructed and operated by Lekela Egypt Wind Power BOO. It is owned by Lekela Power BV, an independent power producer established by Actis Energy Fund III and Mainstrean Renewable Power and focused on onshore wind power generation projects in Africa.

The plant will provide clean energy at an unsubsidised tariff that is below the cost of conventional power and it will avoid 550,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.  The plant benefits from the world class wind resources of the Gulf of Suez and is the next phase in Egypt’s renewable transition, leveraging private finance and expertise to build new, highly competitive, clean generating capacity.  The project builds on the success of Egypt’s 1.5GW Benban solar complex, now nearing completion, which is also privately financed and for which EBRD is the largest financier.

Reforming the energy sector is at the centre of Egypt’s economic transition. The country has enormous potential in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar. In recent years the EBRD has engaged closely with the authorities to create a regulatory and tariff environment which makes investments in renewables attractive and commercially successful.

Egypt is a founding member of EBRD. Since the start of its operations in Egypt in 2012, the Bank has invested close to €5 billion in 93 projects in the country. 2018 was a record year for the Bank in Egypt, when it was the largest EBRD country of operations in terms of new commitments.

(Source: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD)