Octopus Energy Explores Green Energy Project in Sierra Leone with Sherbro Alliance Partners

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Octopus Energy, a global energy technology company, in collaboration with Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens’ Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), visited Sierra Leone to advance their project of establishing Sierra Leone’s inaugural wind farm on Sherbro Island.

The initiative aims to erect up to five wind turbines alongside solar panels and batteries to store energy, thereby enhancing access to affordable and clean electricity for the local community. Wind turbines, a proven technology, complement other renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower by harnessing wind power to generate electricity.

The visit to Sierra Leone served to identify the optimal site for the project on Sherbro Island and explore opportunities for local job creation and training in construction and maintenance once the wind farm becomes operational. Construction is scheduled to commence later this year.

Octopus Energy, founded in the UK in 2015 and currently Britain’s largest electricity supplier, operates in 18 countries globally and serves 7.7 million customers. This venture marks Octopus Energy’s maiden renewable energy project in Africa, emphasizing its commitment to building green infrastructure such as wind and solar farms worldwide.

SAP, an infrastructure development company co-founded by actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens, aims to transform Sherbro Island into a thriving West African economic hub and eco-city. The island, designated as a semi-autonomous Special Economic Zone, endeavors to emulate the economic shifts witnessed in Singapore and Dubai, prioritizing efficient governance and robust infrastructure.

Idris Elba expressed the vision of creating a culturally diverse international city on Sherbro Island that blends African tradition with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, underscoring the importance of sustainability. Siaka Stevens highlighted Sherbro Alliance Partners’ commitment to sustainable development and clean energy sources, positioning Sherbro Island City as a beacon of innovative urban planning in Africa.

Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, hailed the project as a monumental opportunity for Sierra Leone and the African continent, emphasizing the potential of green energy to accelerate access to affordable electricity.

The collaboration between Octopus Energy and Sherbro Alliance Partners exemplifies a shared commitment to sustainability and energy innovation, heralding a new era of green development in Sierra Leone and beyond.