Idris Elba partners with Octopus Energy to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farm

Octopus Energy has signed a partnership agreement with Sherbro Alliance Partners. Only 28% of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity, according to Octopus.
Octopus Energy has signed a partnership agreement with Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farm starting next year.

SAP is an infrastructure development company co-founded by award-winning actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens, grandson of the former president of Sierra Leone.
Up to five wind turbines and solar panels with batteries will generate clean electricity for local communities in Sierra Leone, where SAP and Octopus also plan to open new offices.

The partnership represents Octopus Energy’s first step into renewable energy in Africa. The group’s green energy projects, spanning 15 countries, are currently worth more than £6 billion.
It is estimated that only 28% of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity. The country aims for 85 percent of its electricity generation capacity to be renewable by 2030.
Idris Elba, co-founder of SAP, said: “We look to the pristine beaches of Sherbro Island with the goal of creating a culturally diverse international city that combines African tradition, dynamism and pride with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services, where development is in harmony with sustainability.”

“We are pleased to partner with Octopus Energy, who share a deep commitment to sustainability and energy, which will be the backbone of development in Sherbro.”
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, added: “This is a momentous day for Octopus as we break ground on our first renewable energy project in Africa.”

“Green energy represents a monumental opportunity across the African continent.”

“Through projects like this, we can bring cheap, green electricity to more people and harness renewable energy data to unleash the power of renewables and encourage others to follow suit.”

Earlier this week, Octopus Energy revealed it had acquired a 12.5 per cent stake in the 660-megawatt Walney Extension offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea from a group of Danish pension funds.

Octopus acquired the stake from AIP Management, the investment manager for Danish pension funds PKA and PFA. It did not disclose how much it paid for the stake.

Walney Extension is operated by Denmark’s Orsted, which holds a 50 per cent stake. It has been operational since 2018, producing enough power for nearly 600,000 homes.

The latest investment was made through the £3billion Octopus Energy Offshore Wind fund the group launched this month.

Octopus Energy already holds stakes in UK offshore wind farms Hornsea One and Lincs. It is also expanding its global investments in the technology globally with deals in Europe and Asia.

Octopus Energy Generation plans to invest over £15billion in offshore wind globally by 2030, aiming to boost energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Octopus has invested in offshore wind farms in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in developers of new offshore wind projects in countries such as Norway, Sweden and South Korea.

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