Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises OPIC and EKF on largest wind power project in West Africa

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance advised Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, and EKF Denmark's Export Credit Agency (EKF) as the lenders in connection with the development and financing of a 158 MW wind farm that will be constructed in the commune of Taïba N'Diaye, approximately 75 km northeast of Dakar, Senegal. Taïba N'Diaye is Senegal's first industrial-scale wind power project and is currently the largest wind farm planned in West Africa. The project is being developed by Lekela Power (Lekela), a renewable energy company focused on Africa, and is part of the Senegalese government's plans to improve energy security by diversifying its energy mix and enhancing the use of renewable energy to meet the country's rapidly increasing energy demand.

Partner Ross Howard led on the deal and said, "We are very honoured to have advised on this exciting and ambitious project, which serves as another example of our ability to successfully close first-of-a-kind projects in Africa. We have been involved alongside OPIC and EKF since the start of their involvement and have been delighted to be able to help them and Lekela navigate – and develop bespoke solutions for – the various challenges the project has faced."

Ross was supported by a cross border team that included partners Lori Bean (Washington), Matthew Buchanan (Singapore) and David Felsenthal (New York), senior associate Danielle Delbridge (Singapore) and associates Noah Honch (Tokyo), Greg Kahn (New York), Greg Jehle (Washington) and Hugues Martin-Sisteron (Paris).