Vestas secures EPC contract for Senegal’s 159MW utility-scale wind project
Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 159MW large utility-scale wind energy project in Senegal.
Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 159MW large utility-scale wind energy project in Senegal.
The EPC contract was signed with Parc Eolien Taiba N’Diaye, a company majorly owned by African renewable energy company Lekela and partly-owned by French developer Sarreole, which has been associated with the project from an early stage.
Vestas Western Mediterranean Region sales vice-president Nicolas Wolff said: “This is a very special order for us, since together with Lekela, we are delivering a project that will represent 20% of the country’s energy mix and have a positive impact on Senegalese communities, providing opportunities for local employment while responding to the country’s energy challenges.
"As part of the contract, Vestas will be responsible for the supply, transport, installation and commissioning of 46 V126-3.45 MW turbines."
“Working in close collaboration with all the partners has been a success factor for this great achievement. Vestas has installed wind turbines in around 80 markets, including more than 1GW in Africa, providing clean energy and fostering local jobs and training.”
Upon completion, the wind farm will expand Senegal’s power generation capacity by 15% and is expected to support the development of affordable renewable energy and diversify the country’s energy mix.
The project is also expected to provide positive social and economic impact on the nearby communities.
As part of the contract, Vestas will be responsible for the supply, transport, installation and commissioning of 46 V126-3.45 MW turbines.
Vestas has also signed Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement in order to provide operation and maintenance services to the wind park for the next 20 years.
For this project, Vestas’ long-time financing partner EKF Denmark’s Export Credit has provided €140m export loan in order to provide financial stability to the project.
Currently, the project is said to be in the advanced stages of development, ready for construction.
Vestas intends to carry out delivery and turbine commissioning process in three phases. The turbines will be delivered between the second and the third quarter of next year, while the commissioning between the third quarter of next year and the first quarter of 2020.