Nabeel Radhi, Managing Director, Green Innova discusses the company’s strategic market alignment and project focus in Bahrain and the broader MENA region, including the company’s projects and technological integration, in an exclusive interview with Renjini Liza Varghese, Chief News Editor, ESGNews.earth.
Edited excerpts:
Nabeel, thank you for joining us today. Please walk us through your journey in green innovation. What specifically motivated you to focus on energy transition solutions? What are your core mission and values?
Nabeel Radhi: Thank you for having me. Our journey began in 2013, initially focusing on eco-friendly building solutions. As we observed the significant energy challenges within our region, we recognized a crucial need and expanded into renewable energy in 2016. Our primary aim was to support Bahrain’s transition to more sustainable energy sources.
Today, our core mission at Green Innova is to deliver innovative green solutions, achieved through the expertise of our skilled teams and strategic partnerships. We are driven by values of continuous innovation, unwavering commitment to sustainability, optimizing energy efficiency, upholding the highest safety standards, and striving for excellence in all our endeavors.
Bahrain presents a unique set of environmental and economic challenges. How does Green Innova identify and prioritize the specific segments you focus on?
Nabeel Radhi: We strategically align our projects with national sustainability goals. Our focus is on segments that exhibit high energy consumption and simultaneously offer significant potential for efficiency improvements. This approach ensures that our solutions effectively address both environmental imperatives and economic considerations.
Our services include external wall insulation and finishing systems, providing comprehensive solutions for building envelopes. We also offer energy audits, energy efficiency consultancy, and ESG reporting to help clients optimize their energy consumption and meet sustainability goals.
As EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contractors, we deliver complete renewable energy solutions. Additionally, we provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for solar projects to ensure their optimal performance and longevity. Finally, we conduct renewable energy feasibility studies to assess the viability and potential of green energy initiatives.
Could you highlight some of the key projects that your company is currently involved in or has successfully implemented?
Nabeel Radhi: We’ve been fortunate to work on a number of impactful projects. Notable examples include the operation and maintenance of Baco’s 5MW solar system, a 5MW solar project at Bahrain City Center, and external insulation systems at significant sites like Bahrain International Airport, Marassi Galleria Mall, and various Ministry of Housing (MOH) developments.
We also played a role in The Philippines Private School’s net-zero energy initiative, and successfully completed a 1 MW solar project at the American Mission Hospital (AMH) and a solar project for Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS), among many similar undertakings.
Collaboration is often crucial for driving sustainability…
Nabeel Radhi: We actively seek and foster collaborations with various stakeholders. This includes government bodies such as the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) and the Ministry of Housing (MOH), numerous private sector clients, and international organizations like the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) and NOCN.
These partnerships are essential for implementing sustainable projects effectively and ensuring alignment with both national and global sustainability objectives.
What are the challenges that you have faced in your green journey?
Nabeel Radhi: We’ve certainly encountered challenges. Key among them is raising public awareness and educating engineering consultants about the substantial benefits of renewable energy.
Navigating evolving regulatory frameworks also presents complexities. Furthermore, ensuring the consistent availability of skilled professionals in the burgeoning green technology sector is a continuous effort.
How do you measure the success and impact of green initiatives, both environmentally and economically?
Nabeel Radhi: We assess the success of our initiatives through a clear set of metrics. These include quantifying energy savings achieved, measuring the reduction in carbon emissions, and evaluating the return on investment for our clients. This comprehensive approach ensures that our projects deliver tangible environmental benefits alongside sound economic outcomes.
What role does public awareness and education play in fostering a culture of sustainability in Bahrain?
Nabeel Radhi: Public awareness and education are absolutely pivotal. They form the foundation for cultivating a culture that truly values and actively practices sustainability.
Through initiatives like the Green Innova Academy and strategic partnerships with educational institutions, we are committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge and understanding necessary to embrace greener lifestyles and practices.
What is the size of the MENA market for sustainability products and services, and how do you plan to tap into it? How many other countries do you work in, apart from Bahrain?
Nabeel Radhi: The MENA market for sustainability products and services is growing significantly, driven by regional ambitions for diversification and climate action.
We are currently in the process of expanding our operations into other GCC countries, with a particular focus on establishing and developing our Green Innova Academy to share our expertise and build local capacity.
On the sustainability front, how do you rank the commitment of MENA corporates? Could you share specific challenges in convincing clients to turn green, especially with respect to key issues like water and waste management, compared to energy, where there seems to be broader conviction?
Nabeel Radhi: It’s an interesting observation. There’s certainly a strong and growing understanding among MENA corporates regarding the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy, often driven by clear economic benefits and government incentives. However, when it comes to areas like water and waste management, the commitment can be more varied.
The primary challenge in convincing clients to fully embrace green solutions in these areas often boils down to the regulatory environment.
When there are clear, well-defined regulations that are consistently enforced by the government, we see a much stronger and quicker response from businesses. Without such clear frameworks and mandates, it can be harder to demonstrate immediate, tangible returns on investment for robust water conservation or advanced waste management systems, even though the long-term environmental and societal benefits are undeniable.
Our role then becomes more about education, showcasing successful case studies, and highlighting the less obvious, but equally important, long-term risks and opportunities.
Can you share something more about Green Innova as a company?
Nabeel Radhi: Green Innova is a leading Bahraini company with a strong specialization in renewable energy, energy efficiency, advanced building solutions, and industrial services.
Established in 2013, we have rapidly emerged as a key player in Bahrain’s sustainability sector. A significant milestone for us in 2024 was achieving Grade A solar contractor status from the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA). This prestigious accreditation allows us to undertake large-scale solar projects with unlimited photovoltaic capacity, further solidifying our position.
