Wind farms offer significant wind power production potential for utility- and small-scale turbines along Africa’s vast coastline. When combined with dispersed populations, off-grid and distributed power systems have subsequently become an effective tool for the continent’s electrification. Meanwhile, large-scale facilities have been developed in key markets such as Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Consequently, there are now 3.1 GW of installed wind power capacity, with an additional 1.2 GW under construction.

LAKE TURKANA WIND FARM – KENYA – 310 MW

One million homes can be powered by the 310 MW of dependable, affordable energy produced by the Lake Turkana Wind Farm. Kenya Power, the state utility, purchased this energy for 20 years, and a high-voltage substation connects it to the national grid. At $650 million, Lake Turkana is not only the largest wind power project on the continent but also the largest private investment made in the nation to date.

TARFAYA WIND FARM – MOROCCO – 301 MW

The National Electricity Office of Morocco purchased the power produced by the 50/50 joint venture between GDF SUEZ and Nareva Holding, which owns and runs the Tarfaya Wind Farm. The $560-million wind farm, which has 131 wind turbines and covers an area of over 100 km² in the Sahara Desert, is the largest onshore facility in the continent.

RAS GHAREB WIND FARM – EGYPT – 262.5 MW

The special-purpose joint venture, comprising Toyota-Tsusho / Eurus Energy (40%), Engie (40%), and Orascom Construction (20%), spearheaded Ras Ghareb, a near-shore wind project situated near the Gulf of Suez. As the nation’s first independent power producer project, the $400 million development operates on a build-own-operate basis. When the wind farm opens in October 2019, it will have the capacity to supply electricity to about 500,000 homes.

WEST BAKR WIND PROJECT – EGYPT – 250 MW (PLANNED)

In the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, Lekela Power is currently in charge of building its West Bakr Wind project. Following the successful installation of its first turbine in January, the project will go online in the fourth quarter of 2021 and support Egypt’s goal of obtaining 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2022.

ADAMA I & II WIND FARM – ETHIOPIA – 204 MW

Ethiopia’s 51-MW Adama I Wind Farm went online in May 2015. A year later, the $340 million Adama II Wind Farm, an extension with 102 turbines, was completed. To support its economic expansion, Ethiopia is giving priority to the development of renewable resources. A joint venture between Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, a state utility, and CGC Overseas Construction Group, a state-owned enterprise in China completed the turnkey projects.

AKHFENIR WIND FARM – MOROCCO – 200 MW

The National Investment Company of Morocco’s subsidiary, Nareva, is the owner of the onshore wind farm Akhfenir Wind Farm, which has been in operation since 2014. Alstom provided the first 100 MW of wind turbines, and General Electric was given the contract to increase the capacity to 200 MW. With the goal of sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050 and more than half by 2030, Morocco is currently spearheading an ambitious drive towards renewable energy.

TAIBA N’DIAYE WIND FARM – SENEGAL – 158 MW

Developed by Lekela Power, the Taiba N’Diaye wind farm is the first utility-scale wind power project in Senegal. After reaching financial close in July 2018, construction began in December 2018 and the first 50 MW phase of the farm became operational in December 2019. The Taiba N’Diaye Wind Farm generates 400 GWh of clean electricity per year, offsets 300,000 tons of annual carbon emissions, and increases Senegal’s total electricity output by 15%.

KHOBAB & LOERIESFONTEIN 2 WIND FARMS – SOUTH AFRICA – 140 MWy

With the most wind farms on the continent, South Africa is home to the Khobab & Loeriesfontein 2 Wind Farms, which collectively contribute 140 MW to the country’s power-deficient grid. The sister facilities, which together have 122 wind turbine generators and power 240,000 South African households, are the largest single expanse of wind turbines in the nation. They started 20 years of commercial operation in December 2017.

KANGNAS WIND FARM – SOUTH AFRICA – 140 MW

Subsequently, after successfully completing the fourth round of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program, Kangnas Wind Farm, also located in the Northern Cape, commenced commercial operation in November 2020.. The facility generates around 513,200 MW/h per year of clean renewable energy, which is enough to power up to 155,000 South Africa households and eliminate roughly 550,00 tons of carbon emissions per year.

BOULENOUAR WIND FARM – MAURITANIA – 102 MW (PLANNED)

Elecnor SA, a Spanish power company, and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy are leading the $167 million Boulenouar Wind Farm project in the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region. Once finished, 39 turbines will provide 100 MW of clean power to Mauritania’s national grid, with the project scheduled to go online in the fourth quarter of 2022. Elecnor has already built a 30-MW wind farm in the nation in 2014, so it has some experience there.