In our first enterprise into renewables in Africa, we’re teaming up with Idris Elba to construct an eco-city in Sierra Leone.
We’re over the moon to be beginning this vital work with Idris and his enterprise companion Siaka Stevens, whose firm, Sherbro Alliance, is constructing West Africa’s first sensible metropolis. This partnership will not be solely a serious milestone for Sierra Leone but additionally for us at Octopus Power, marking our first enterprise into renewable power improvement in Africa.
The origin story
Idris Elba had a imaginative and prescient: to deliver inexperienced power, sensible tech and alternative to Sierra Leone, the West African nation his household calls dwelling. Alongside his good friend and enterprise companion, Siaka Stevens, he dreamed up a sensible metropolis on Sherbro Island, powered completely by renewable power.
Then got here an opportunity encounter at a London get together. Our CEO, Greg Jackson (having simply spilled wine down his shirt) acquired chatting with Sabrina and her husband, Idris about our mission to make inexperienced power accessible to all. Collectively, they sketched out a daring plan—wind generators, photo voltaic panels, and battery storage to deliver clear power to Sherbro Island, creating jobs and coaching for the area people.
5 wind generators, photo voltaic panels and battery storage
The undertaking will see as much as 5 wind generators constructed on Sherbro Island, together with photo voltaic panels and battery storage. Collectively, they’ll present clear, inexperienced power to native communities.
This undertaking is a part of an enormous plan to show Sherbro Island right into a vibrant eco-city, mixing trendy infrastructure with sustainable dwelling. Alongside Idris Elba and Siaka, we’re aiming to create a inexperienced power hub on the gorgeous coast of West Africa, that’s constructed on sustainable practices and considerable pure assets.
For the group, it will imply cheaper electrical energy in addition to inexperienced jobs and coaching alternatives for native individuals, serving to to energy Sierra Leone’s future in additional methods than one.
Why is that this vital?
Proper now, solely round 28% of individuals in Sierra Leone have entry to electrical energy, however the nation is aiming for 85% renewable power by 2030. This wind farm will assist deliver clear power to extra individuals and assist Sierra Leone’s bold renewable power targets. It’s an enormous step ahead within the nation’s power transition.
And it is just the start of our partnership with Idris, who famously crashed our company-wide Zoom name, to the delight of each man and lady. He even joined Greg at Glastonbury, the place he DJed till 4am earlier than the 2 of them mentioned their bold power initiatives.
Their shared imaginative and prescient? To increase and guarantee a brighter, greener future for Sierra Leone and past.
Extra from the Octo-verse
We’re keen about making inexperienced power accessible to everybody, in every single place. This partnership is only one instance of how we’re working in the direction of a brighter, greener international future!
For extra info on how we’re driving renewable power investments, take a look at Octopus Power Technology.
Pipe dream to actuality
We’re investing on this planet’s largest subsea cables to deliver low cost inexperienced energy from Morocco to 7 million houses within the UK.
What’s new at Octopus Power Technology?
Meet up with the thrilling developments occurring within the great world of OE Technology
Welcome to the Octopus Fan Membership
Learn how we’re ensuring native communities get probably the most out of the renewable power of their space