Djibouti inaugurates its first wind farm

Djibouti has ambitious plans to become Africa’s first country to achieve 100% of its electrical production from renewable energy sources by 2030. A major milestone towards this goal was officially celebrated in September 2023: the inauguration of the country’s first wind farm, the 60 MW Ghoubet project near Lake Assal. Our teams have been involved since the inception of the project.

The 60 MW Ghoubet wind farm was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Djibouti in September 2023

Tractebel provides expertise from the start

Our renewable energy team was responsible for the for the feasibility, procurement, design review and construction management of the project. We provided a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified experts with international experience to carry out the construction management and technical contract administration services throughout the entire project, as well as the commissioning services.

Construction of the Ghoubet wind farm began in August 2020 with the mobilization onsite of the Siemens Gamesa (EPC - engineering, procurement and construction - contractor), Red Sea Power (client) and Tractebel (Owner’s Engineer) teams.

Djibouti’s first-ever wind farm boosts the country’s energy production by 50%

Celebrating sustainable energy for 1.1 million people

At 387 hectares, the Ghoubet wind farm is the size of 700 football fields. It consists of 17 Siemens Gamesa G132 wind turbine generators with a unitary power of 3.465 MW, for a total capacity of 58.9 MW. The wind farm is interconnected to the existing EDD (Electricité de Djibouti) transmission network at 230 kV at the point of connection at the Ghoubet facility substation.

The wind farm increases the country’s energy production by 50%, providing renewable energy to over one million people. This new renewable energy source greatly reduces the country's dependence on imported energy, which was largely supplied from neighbouring Ethiopia.

On hand to celebrate the official opening of the Ghoubet wind farm were Tom Ghenne and Simona Patrunoiu from Tractebel, executives from the client's shareholders, the client's local team and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy's project management team

“Our team takes great pride in this project, considering its historic and environmental significance. The Ghoubet wind farm will significantly reduce Djibouti’s reliance on fossil fuel for its energy needs. We look forward to seeing the country reach its goal as the first in Africa to operate on 100% domestically produced renewable energy.”

Simona Patrunoiu, Project Manager - Wind Energy - Tractebel in Belgium

Tom Ghenne, Site Manager - Product Manager Onshore Renewables - Tractebel in Belgium, onsite at the Ghoubet wind farm in Djibouti

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