UK-based renewable energy group Octopus Energy has announced that it has entered a partnership to develop the first ever wind farm in the West African country of Sierra Leone. Its partner in the project is Sherbro Alliance Partners, which is a development company owned by famed British actor Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens (a grandson of a former President of Sierra Leone). Currently, only 28% of Sierra Leoneans are estimated to have access to electricity. The country is seeking to increase this to 85% by 2030, by rolling out renewable energy projects. The Octopus/Sherbro wind farm will be built next year and will form part of the Sherbro Island City project. The wind farm will initially be composed of five wind turbines, plus solar panels and battery storage backup, and will generate green electricity for local communities on Sherbro Island.
