Mainstream Renewable Power in €1.7bn African expansion

Irish-owned wind and solar energy company Mainstream Renewable Power has expanded its presence in Africa with the establishment of a $1.9bn (€1.7bn) joint venture with emerging market-focused private equity firm Actis.

The venture, Lekela Power, aims to provide 700MW to 900MW of wind and solar power across the continent by 2018.

It will also absorb Mainstream’s other African projects in time, including the 225MW Ayitepa wind project being built in Ghana, which will eventually meet 10% of that country’s yearly energy needs.