Jeremiah Thoronka- Providing energy for over 10,000 people in Sierra Leone

Jeremiah is a leading youth renewable energy entrepreneur, environment enthusiast, and energy scholar, with proven years of expertise in creating and researching on new energy technologies, policies and programs. He is equipped with a strong understanding of acceptable energy standards that help lower resource use and costs. Jeremiah thrives in developing sustainable energy systems, effective urban and environment management to promote sustainable development and efficient energy consumption behaviour. He has been able to deliver creative and unique solutions that help low-income homes in Sierra Leone and enable commercial and residential areas to control their energy consumption patterns. In addition to developing initiatives and programs that encourage more women participation in environment and energy related programs. Jeremiah has been awarded the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Development, the Global Teen Leader Awards, and has been a Student Energy Fellow since 2020.  Jeremiah holds a first-class honors degree in Global Challenges (Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development) from the African Leadership University.  

HIS WORK ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 

Growing up in a displacement camp during the civil war, firewood and charcoal were the only lighting and cooking energy sources available in Sierra Leone. Photochemical-smog, a harmful consequence of burning coal, caused air pollution and respiratory problems among his peers. Although access to affordable energy has been widely recognized as a significant factor for economic and social development, its provision was a luxury only the rich could afford. Finding himself in this situation turned him  into an energy-environmental anomaly.

As  a young energy enthusiast aiming to solve these challenges, he has been using entrepreneurial leadership in developing new and improved energy systems that will be sustainable and equitable for generations to come. He currently runs an initiative that provides energy for over 10,000 people and he  aims to take 100,000 people out of energy poverty within the next five (5) years. This initiative is listed by UNMGYC, UNIDO, SE4ALL and other energy stakeholders among the 98 most innovative leading energy initiatives/start-ups in the world. He has currently been able to improve grid energy efficiency in the local area of his initiative by 5%, increasing energy service continuation to 70%, increasing lighting for students to 61% and reducing CO2 emissions by 60%. In addition, he also educates energy consumers on energy efficiency, energy conservation and the impact of their consumption patterns/behaviours on the grid and environment. 

HELPING HIS COMMUNITY COPE DURING COVID

Covid-19 has been a menace for all, however, it presented more challenges to people in rural areas. During the cause of this pandemic, he has  been trying to scale up his  impact in reaching more people. He has  rolled out more energy and environmental conservation programs. Jeremiah has been writing articles and carrying out research on how new and improved energy systems can be developed using a community current and projected consumption behaviour as a benchmark for sustainable energy systems. During this pandemic, he was hosted by Aljazeera on “The Talk Podcast” where his story “An Innovators story in optimism” inspired many young people around the world to take ownership of solving problems in their local community during this unprecedented time. 

IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP

Jeremiah believes that the importance of strong and transformative leadership in solving the challenges in our communities cannot be overemphasised. He believes that as a continent, we are still trailing other continents as in most places around the continent and we have not been able to  demonstrate value based leadership that will inspire young people to selflessly lead when called upon.