By Politico Staff Writer
A global energy technology company, Octopus Energy in partnership with the Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) is set to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farm on Sherbro Island in Bonthe district, Southern Sierra Leone.
A press statement issued by the team indicated that their visit to Sierra Leone is to progress with the wind farm project with Idris Elba and Siaka Steven of Sherbro Alliance Partners and to identify a suitable location for the installation which will consist of up to five wind turbines with solar and battery storage, accelerating access to affordable clean energy on the Island.
It noted that the project which is set to commence this year will expand access to affordable clean electricity and create green job opportunities and training for the local people to help build and also maintain the wind farm. The group in their press statement described Wind turbines as a tried-and-tested technology that is complementary to other clean energy sources like solar and hydropower and that they use the power of wind to create electricity.
“A breeze makes the blades of a wind turbine spin, and as the blades turn, a generator inside converts this into electricity,” it explains.
The press statement highlighted that around 28% of Sierra Leone’s population is estimated to have access to electricity and that the Government is targeting 85% renewable electricity capacity by 2030, highlighting the massive potential to rapidly bring affordable green energy to more people in the country.
The statement quoted Elba, saying that they looked at the pristine beaches of Sherbro Island, intending to create a culturally diverse international city that blends African tradition, dynamism, and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, where development sits in harmony with sustainability.
“We’re pleased to partner with Octopus Energy who share a profound commitment to sustainability and energy which will be a backbone to development on Sherbro,” he said.
Another Co-founder of SAP, Siaka Stevens stated that Sherbro Island City is being founded on sustainable principles, and will be fuelled by clean energy sources. He said, that over the last few years, their mission has been to transform Sherbro and ignite a new way of building African cities as the Continent needs new cities.
“We are focusing on making a significant impact across the region and beyond with partners in the UK, Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East. Our collaboration with Octopus is the first of many partnerships which will allow us to achieve this world-class vision,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Energy Generation, Zoisa North-Bond was quoted in the statement speaking about his being in Sierra Leone and the progress made for developing the first renewables project and the first wind farm in the country too. She expressed excitement to be working with Idris, Siaka, and their team who have created a vibrant and sustainable future in Sherbro Island.
“Green energy represents a monumental opportunity for the country and across the African continent. And through projects like this, we can accelerate access to affordable, green electricity to even more people,” she said.
Octopus Energy Generation is one of Europe’s largest investors in renewable energy, its fund management specialist team was launched in 2010 with a mission to accelerate the transition to a future powered by renewable energy.
The statement described SAP as an infrastructure development company co-founded by actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens, the grandson of the former President of Sierra Leone with a mission to transform Sherbro Island into a vibrant West African economic hub and dynamic eco-city. It referred to Sherbro Island as a designated semi-autonomous Special Economic Zone, which allows private sector entities and investors to lead in the island's development activities.
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