London/Dubai, 30th November 2023 – Octopus Energy’s generation arm has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), the development company co-founded by actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens. The collaboration aims to construct Sierra Leone’s inaugural wind farm as part of the ambitious Sherbro Island City project.
Announced at COP28, this milestone venture is poised to propel Sierra Leone into a new era of renewable energy, gathering crucial data to attract further green investments on Sherbro Island and beyond.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a momentous day for Octopus as we kick off our first renewables project in Africa.”
The deal involves building a unique renewables project in 2024, featuring up to five wind turbines and solar panels with batteries, providing clean electricity for local communities. The initiative also explores opportunities for green job creation and training for the island’s residents.
SAP, an infrastructure development company with a vision to transform Sherbro Island into a vibrant West African economic hub, emphasizes sustainable principles.
Idris Elba, co-founder of Sherbro Alliance Partners, stated, “We look at the pristine beaches of Sherbro Island, with the goal of creating a culturally diverse international city that blends African tradition, dynamism, and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services.”
Siaka Stevens, SAP’s co-founder, added, “Sherbro Island City is being founded on sustainable principles and will be fueled by clean energy sources. Our collaboration with Octopus is the first of many partnerships which will allow us to achieve this world-class vision.”
The agreement signifies Octopus Energy’s inaugural foray into renewables in Africa, expanding their $7.5 billion green energy projects spanning over 15 countries in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
As Sherbro Island is designated as a semi-autonomous Special Economic Zone, the collaboration aligns with SAP’s mission to create a dynamic eco-city, drawing parallels to transformative economic shifts witnessed in places like Singapore and Dubai.
With only about 28% of Sierra Leone’s population estimated to have access to electricity, the partnership addresses a critical need, aligning with the country’s target to achieve 85% renewable electricity capacity by 2030.
The initiative also includes the establishment of offices in Sierra Leone by both SAP and Octopus, reinforcing their commitment to the region’s sustainable development.
