N40bn renewable energy investments across Africa to add 1,300mw by 2018

Renewable energy investments projects in Africa will see a boost, as a consortium of global investors led by Mainstream Renewable Power will power the sector with N40 billion worth of investments to accelerate the build-out of 1,300 megawatts of wind and solar plants across Africa.

Global renewable energy leader signed the equity investments from investors, IFC African, Latin American and Caribbean Fund (ALAC) and the IFC Catalyst Fund, two funds managed by IFC Asset Management Company, Ascension Investment Management and Sanlam.

The deal, which is subject to shareholder approval, provides equity funding for the Lekela Power platform, a joint venture with the global pan-emerging market private equity firm Actis. The funding package will help Lekela meet its goal of constructing over 1,300mw of badly needed new power capacity in Africa by 2018, while addressing the challenge of climate change.

Speaking at the signing of the transaction at The African Energy Forum in London, Eddie O’Connor Mainstream Renewable Power CEO said, “Developing Africa’s power infrastructure, giving millions of people access to power and enabling the continent’s economic growth is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Renewable energy is the quickest and most cost effective solution to achieve this and Mainstream is dedicated to being the leading vehicle in delivering this on the ground.”

“Renewable energy has enormous potential as a clean, reliable, and affordable power source for Africa and we are delighted to help connect Mainstream with solar and wind investment opportunities across the continent through this partnership,” said Bertrand de la Borde, Head of Africa infrastructure at IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

The deal will allow Lekela to continue to build its pipeline of wind and solar projects in Africa. The platform plans to build four more wind farms in South Africa, two wind farms and a solar plant in Egypt, as well as wind farms in Senegal and Ghana. Also, in addition to the jobs created through the construction spend; Lekela invests resources in social endeavours that enhance the quality of life of the communities close to its projects.

Mainstream and Lekela aims to assist in fulfilling the objectives of a series of key international initiatives, including the Obama Administration’s Power Africa, which has a focus to provide 30,000mw of cleaner power generation through government and private partnerships, and the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All, which seeks to achieve universal access to power by 2030.

Reyaz Ahmad, head, IFC Catalyst Fund, said the IFC Catalyst Fund was very pleased to support the transaction, saying the company was looking forward to supporting the growth of the Lekela Power platform and its expansion goals in Africa.

ISAAC ANYAOGU