Nadia Al-Said

A Bahraini environmental activist pioneering renewable energy initiatives in the Middle East

Nadia Al-Said is a visionary environmental scientist and entrepreneur from Bahrain who has made significant contributions to advancing renewable energy adoption in the Persian Gulf region. As the founder of Green Energy Bahrain, she has spearheaded solar power projects that challenged the region's heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Her work includes developing the first community-owned solar farm in Bahrain in 2016, which now provides 20% of the island's energy needs. Nadia's advocacy led to the Gulf Cooperation Council adopting her proposed 'Sun2Sun' initiative in 2018, a transnational renewable energy grid connecting Middle Eastern countries.

Her innovative approach combines technological innovation with grassroots education through the Clean Gulf Network, training over 5,000 students in renewable energy systems. In 2021, she launched the Solar Sisters program, providing women in coastal communities with microloans to install home solar systems. This initiative has reduced energy poverty for 15,000 households while creating 800 jobs in the renewable sector.

Nadia's international impact includes advising the United Nations Development Programme on climate strategies for oil-dependent economies. Her TED Talk Renewable Energy in the Oil Heartland has been viewed over 2 million times. She currently serves on the board of the Masdar Institute, working to commercialize clean energy technologies developed in the region.