Octopus Energy, in a partnership with Idris Elba, has outlined its first renewables project in Africa, a wind farm with solar panels and battery storage on Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone.

Announced at this year’s World Climate Conference (better known as COP29) Octopus has submitted detailed plans with the target of starting construction next year with up to five turbines. As only 5 per cent of rural Sierra Leone has access to electricity the project will allow energy to communities generating power for around 2,000 homes on the island annually and support the local industries such as fishing.

The scheme is also designed to create new green jobs and will team up with local universities to train young people in renewables and offer employment opportunities to maintain the wind farm. It aligns with Sierra Leone’s ambitious target of making 85 per cent of its electricity renewable by 2030.

Idris Elba said: “I’m incredibly proud of the partnership and progress we’ve made on the Sherbro Island wind farm project with Octopus Energy since our announcement at COP28. We’re building not just a wind farm, but a foundation for sustainable growth and energy independence in Sierra Leone. With the turbines scheduled for installation next year, it’ll stand as a powerful testament to our commitment to a cleaner, greener future for Sierra Leone and beyond.”

Octopus The insights we’ll gain will provide a blueprint to scale even more wind and solar farms in the future. Partnering with Idris and his team, we’re committed to being part of Sierra Leone’s journey as a renewables leader - and this is just the beginning.”

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