One step closer to huge CO2 reduction in Egypt

Construction has started at Lekela’s West Bakr Wind project in the Gulf of Suez. Aiming to deliver 250 MW of clean, affordable power in 2021, the project will significantly contribute to Egypt’s goal to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2022.

The construction phase sees Tractebel continue as Owner’s Engineer for Lekela on the project, which will produce over 1,000 GWh per year whilst reducing CO2 emissions by an impressive 550,000 tons a year.

Having assisted Lekela throughout the project’s development, Tractebel will now provide its full construction and project management services to see the project through to a successful end. Mobilisation of a project management team combining strong international knowledge with local engineering consultancy has started. Not that they’ll be the only Tractebel wind experts helping to engineer a zero-carbon future in Africa.

The construction and commissioning of the West Bakr Wind project will run in parallel to the Owner’s Engineering services also being provided on the 158.7 MW Project Eolien Taiba N’Diaye Wind Farm, another Lekela project in Senegal.

“Entering the construction phase of the West Bakr project is an important milestone. We appreciate the level of both international and local expertise being mobilised to support this. Both for Lekela and its Lenders, having Tractebel as a strong technical partner with the right solution driven attitude on board de-risks the project in an important way,” says Faisal Eissa, General Manager, Lekela Egypt.  “The Tractebel team has been supporting this project for the past 18 months”, adds Conrad Calitz, Project Manager, “so it’s exciting to see it enter into its next phase. With Lekela, we look forward to continuing to play our part in Egypt’s energy transition.”