Leyia Ismayilova

An Azerbaijani environmental advocate pioneering renewable energy projects and climate resilience strategies in post-conflict regions.

Leyia Ismayilova is a visionary Azerbaijani engineer and sustainability leader transforming the energy landscape of post-conflict regions. Born in Baku in 1990, Ismayilova founded Sunrise Energy Solutions in 2021, a company specializing in solar microgrids for rural areas affected by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Her solar-powered systems now provide electricity to over 80 villages in Azerbaijan’s previously contested regions, enabling schools, health clinics, and small businesses to operate independently of centralized grids.

Ismayilova’s Solar Peace Initiative, launched in 2022, partners with Armenian NGOs to install cross-border solar projects in conflict zones. This work earned her the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Nomination for fostering reconciliation through shared environmental goals. Her TED Talk, “Energy for Peace,” has become a blueprint for post-conflict renewable infrastructure globally.

In 2024, Ismayilova co-designed Azerbaijan’s first zero-emission industrial park near Ganja, using geothermal energy to power manufacturing facilities. She also chairs the Euro-Asian Climate Alliance, a network of 12 Central Asian countries collaborating on transboundary renewable energy grids. Her pioneering work underscores how renewable energy can rebuild economies and foster regional cooperation, making her a key figure in global climate justice efforts.