Lekela has published its third annual sustainability report detailing our approach to sustainability and the important links between the successful delivery of clean and reliable energy in Africa and high environmental, social and governance standards.
As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, the report provides details of Lekela’s long-term commitment to and investment programmes in the African communities where it operates.
With over 1,000MW of clean, reliable energy in operation or construction, and 300MW in development, highlights of the 2019 report include:
- A total of over 1,304 GWh of zero-carbon energy was generated and over 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide was avoided across Lekela’s projects.
- 6 communities directly benefited from investment initiatives across Lekela’s projects in Senegal, South Africa and Egypt. Over 4,500 children and young people at schools and nurseries were supported by Lekela’s programmes.
- Over 1,800 workers were employed at the peak of construction across three different sites, with over 35% of those workers employed from local communities. Workers also benefitted from innovative training programmes and excellent safety records across all the operational and construction projects.
- Formally integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our sustainability strategy and recognising our impact on those targets across our operations.
Jennifer Boca, Head of ESG, Lekela said: “While Lekela has always recognised the importance of mitigating climate change through zero-carbon technologies, now we are clear the issue is inseparable from our ambition to work with communities to achieve positive developmental outcomes.
“Our sustainability programme in 2019 continued to focus on investing in education, enterprise and the environment, with 6 communities and over 4,500 children and youths across Africa directly benefiting.”
Chris Antonopoulos, Chief Executive Officer, Lekela, added: “Lekela has built on its objectives to set a sustainability benchmark for energy companies in Africa. By keeping sustainability central to our approach, we have continued to successfully deliver on our objectives.
“This past year was significant for Lekela, bringing renewable assets under construction and into successful operations across the continent. Our progress is down to our commitment to operate with integrity, build excellence with our contractors and partners, empower and uplift local communities and be a good steward of the environment.
“With climate change as a real and present risk in Africa, securing a sustainable path to development has never been more important. Now is the time to take bold action and Lekela commits to be a leader on the continent’s journey to decarbonisation.”
The full 2019 sustainability report can be viewed here.