TECHNOLOGY
64
E stablished in 2016 , Alpha Energy is one of French telecommunications giant Telefónica ’ s ‘ moonshot ’ endeavors . By combining experienced personnel with breakthrough technologies and embracing new perspectives , Alpha Energy is working to bring renewable energy solutions to the 2.7bn people around the world without access to electricity . “ It ’ s a huge challenge that I think is going to take a multi-year approach ,” says CEO Candace Saffery Neufeld . “ I ’ m here because I believe it can happen .”
Neufeld took over as CEO of Alpha Energy in April 2018 . With 15 years ’ experience in the clean energy space , she has worked for and run startups in both solar energy and utility wind energy , with a focus on innovations that allow them to integrate and grow in scale commercially . “ I ’ ve worked with companies and organisations that from a high level try to achieve balance between the human right to a clean environment and the human need to grow and thrive ,” she says . “ This can actually be achieved , but there needs to be some real innovation around how we scale those energy solutions .”
This is where Alpha Energy intends to enact dramatic and powerful change . Neufeld explains that , whereas a startup is focused on developing an idea that can become marketable quickly to generate ROI , a “ moonshot is a long-term commitment .” She continues : “ I ’ m in it for the long haul . I ’ m so thrilled about the approach we ’ re taking with Alpha Energy - and the whole moonshot factory
MARCH 2019