Green energy firm Mainstream Renewable Power has signed a grid connection agreement for a wind project in Ghana and started construction of two wind farms in South Africa.

The grid connection agreement was signed for the 225MW Ayitepa wind farm in Ghana, construction for which is expected to start early next year.

The wind power plant will involve an investment of $525m and can meet up to 5% of Ghana’s electricity requirements once operational.

Mainstream development manager for Africa Liam Leahy said: “It is the first renewable energy grid connection agreement in Ghana to date and will hopefully set the precedent for many more over the coming years.”

The firm also broke ground for developing the Khobab and Loeriesfontein wind farms in South Africa, which will have a combined generation capacity of 280MW.

Located side by side in the Hantam municipality at the country’s Northern Cape region, the wind projects are expected to involve an investment of ZAR7bn ($511.8m).

The projects have been scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2017, and will be equipped with wind turbines manufactured by Siemens.

Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa is responsible for both construction and operations of the facilities, which are part of the South African government’s Round 3 Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP).