Dive into this conversation with Justin Tinsey, Odyssey's VP of Procurement Solutions. We'll cover how he went from a midwestern childhood in Michigan to an international career in renewable energy.
From Michigan to Johannesburg: a global journey in renewable energy
Born and raised in Michigan, Justin’s quintessential Midwestern upbringing set him on an unexpected path toward a lifelong passion for Africa and development. After earning his undergraduate degree at Michigan State, he completed a Master’s in Global Development Policy and an African Studies, which solidified his commitment to African development and economics. "While at Michigan State University I took a course for my humanities requirement - with Professor Nwando Achebe - daughter of famous Nigerian author Chinua Achebe - and that course changed my life! I was amazed by how much I didn’t know about Africa, and I immediately pivoted my career and personal interests to the continent. The energy of Africa, particularly Nigeria, with its incredibly young and vibrant population, is unmatched. The opportunities to drive meaningful change in such a dynamic environment have reshaped not just my career, but my purpose.”This passion has been the guiding force behind his career, fueling his dedication to work across the continent."
A decade of impact: experience across the renewable energy sector
Justin's career has spanned the solar industry, always with a focus on the equipment and logistics required to build impactful projects. As VP of Procurement Solutions at Odyssey, he leads a team that connects solar companies across Africa, India, and Latin America to the best equipment for their projects as well as credit needed to purchase equipment. Previously, as a Partner at Greentech Power Solutions, he spearheaded residential solar deployments in South Africa and B2B distribution in Nigeria, and before that he was the founder and CEO of Solarquick, a leading wholesaler of solar PV, inverters, and lithium-ion batteries. Justin’s roles, from consulting for Huawei to founding Solarquick, have deepened his expertise in supply chain management, strategic partnerships, and renewable energy financing.
Passion for sustainable energy: the spark that ignited his career
Justin’s journey into renewable energy began in 2014 while he was working in infrastructure. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, he shares, “While doing business development in the infrastructure (bridge) sector in 2014, two of our business partners were developing solar farms in Uganda and Rwanda. I thought the solutions were fascinating and realized the growth trajectory of the industry in Africa - I wanted to be part of it.”
What began as an interest grew into a true passion as Justin saw the industry’s potential firsthand, discovering that “profitability and sustainability could go hand-in-hand.” This insight has since fueled his commitment to expanding clean energy access across underserved regions, making a meaningful impact while creating sustainable growth opportunities.
Odyssey’s vision and Justin’s role in shaping the future of procurement solutions
Joining Odyssey was a turning point in Justin’s career. He was motivated by the company’s willingness to experiment. “The end goal remains the same,” Justin explains, “but Odyssey’s openness to different pathways is what excites me most.” His work centers on solving procurement challenges in emerging markets, a task that combines innovation with hands-on expertise in supply chain management and B2B procurement.
Projects with a global impact
Justin’s projects span continents, from Africa to Latin America, creating meaningful impact. His work includes launching a $1.2M procurement credit order in Brazil, marking an expansion into new and growing markets, and supporting mini-grid developers like GVE, Nayo Tropical, Havenhill, and ACOB. These long-standing partnerships reflect his dedication to improving energy access for communities in need.
Envisioning the future of distributed energy in growth markets
Looking ahead, Justin believes the future of energy will be increasingly distributed, with a focus on storage systems and energy management technologies. “Storage will be key,” he says, predicting an uptick in solutions like energy management systems (EMS), load optimization, and virtual power plants. Although utility support may lag, he sees opportunities for community-driven optimization, interconnected mini-grids, and custom energy solutions across regions like Nigeria, South Africa, and Brazil.
A creative outlet beyond renewable energy
Outside of his professional life, Justin recently took up abstract art. This new passion has become a creative and therapeutic outlet.
A note of gratitude
As he reflects on his journey, Justin expresses gratitude for the support of his family, friends, and colleagues, each of whom has contributed to his progress in renewable energy.
Stay connected
Follow Odyssey to learn more about the inspiring stories of leaders like Justin who are shaping the future of renewable energy worldwide.
Learn more about Odyssey Energy Solutions
For more information on how Odyssey supports distributed renewable energy projects, visit their website at Odyssey Energy Solutions or explore their procurement solutions platform at Odyssey Procurement.
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