Elbas hopes to transform the island into a renewables-powered, self-sustaining eco city through the Hope Power Project, in partnership with British power company Octopus Energy Generation. The three-year plan also includes investments in improving connectivity and clean water access.
The wind farm, which is expected to go up and running later this summer, consists of five wind turbines with solar panels and batteries, through a small grid at Sherbro’s main port and commercial centre, Bonthe, to power about 1,500 homes and businesses, supporting 15,000 islanders.
Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, says the project involved creating a new blueprint for electricity infrastructure on Sherbro, different from places like European cities. It also requires working closely with the Sierra Leonean government and local communities. “Idris has been an absolutely extraordinary diplomat in helping to bring us together,” she says, even naming him a chief on the island. It helps that the plan is in line with the government’s goals to increase national electricity access to 78% of the population – or 720,000 households – by 2030 from 36% in 2025, and to increase the renewable component of its energy mix from 46% to 52%.
The couple want to redefine how the world views the second largest continent. “Africa is seen as a place that always needs help,” Alba says. “Interestingly, the world needs Africa more than it needs Africa, because it is rich in resources.” This means not only commodities like oil and minerals, but also a vast, deep pool of young talent.
Dhovre Elba says African countries are hardly short of solutions to their problems. They know exactly what they have to do. The frustrating thing, she says, is that there is a lack of political will and money to make it happen. “This is something we wanted to address with our organization.” Elbas sees his role as listening to people on the ground and then being a voice for them in the rooms where decisions are made.
Their work today is just the beginning. Ultimately, they want Alba Hope to become an advisor to governments and other leaders based on her experiences, learnings and unique perspectives. “I don’t want us to be a charity. I want us to be maybe a think tank,” Alba says. “We get called into so many rooms that, technically, we’re not qualified to speak — but it turns out, if you care, sometimes caring in the room makes a lot of difference.”
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