Scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilient infrastructure

Role: Former MSc student
Project: Assessing the financial feasibility of interconnected mini-grids in a peri-urban community in Sierra Leone
Affiliation: Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London;  Climate Compatible Growth; Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2108-2554
Email: jdw124@ic.ac.uk or jdwaugh17@gmail.com

Jack studied an MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College, specialising in Environmental Economics, with a specific interest in financing energy expansion in developing countries. Holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Lancaster University, where they took modules in Development Studies with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He previously worked with the UK government financing public sector decarbonisation projects and completed an internship using OSINT to assess regional investment risks in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

His MSc thesis focused on examining the financial feasibility of solar mini-grids. The research involved fieldwork, including conducting interviews, transect walks and using project finance model to examine the viability of the deployment of mini-grids for expanding energy access. Aligning with the World Bank’s Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to provide energy access to 300 million people across Africa through mini-grid deployment.

Building on his research, he currently works for a mini-grid developer focused on rural electrification, based in Sierra Leone and supporting projects across Liberia and Benin.