Innovation to drive Bahrain’s energy transition

Bahrain

Ebrahim Radhi, chairman of Green Innova, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s role in shaping Bahrain’s energy efficiency agenda and its two-part solution of reducing energy demand and deploying renewables. Green Innova offers solar and wind systems, ISO 50001 consulting, thermal envelope construction and industrial services such as steam engineering and heat recovery.

What was the initial vision behind founding Green Innova, and how has the company grown to support Bahrain’s renewable energy goals?
The name Green Innova represents two key ideas. “Green” reflects our dedication to clean and sustainable energy, while “Innova” captures our commitment to innovation in delivering our products and services. Our aim has always been to contribute something new and impactful to the country’s green economy.
We founded the company around 2013. From the start, we saw a significant gap in thermal insulation solutions in Bahrain. Our vision was to first reduce energy consumption for establishments through technologies like thermal insulation and energy audits. Then, we would offset the remaining consumption using renewable energy solutions.
Over time, we introduced a range of products and services including energy audits, solar energy systems and a project with EWA to develop a building code rating system. This rating system categorises buildings by energy efficiency and, once fully implemented, it could transform real estate valuation in Bahrain by factoring in operational efficiency, not just rental income.

Can you tell us about some of your most impactful projects to date?
We try to diversify in terms of our clientele base. One major example is our work with Durrat Al Bahrain, where we provided thermal insulation for around 83 villas – an iconic project that exemplified our early ambitions.
We’ve had the opportunity to work on several iconic projects. Another major project was Bahrain International Airport. We supported them in achieving LEED certification over a two-year period – a major milestone for Bahrain.
We also contributed to City Centre Bahrain, the country’s largest mall, by installing products that significantly reduce energy consumption. In the private sector, we work with Amazon to support their energy-intensive web services. With the rise of AI and data demands, energy consumption is only going to increase, and solutions like ours will become even more crucial.
A long-term project we’re proud of is our partnership with Bapco Energies. We operate and maintain Bahrain’s first solar plant, commissioned under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Abdulhussain Mirza. That project is now about 10 years old, and we’ve ensured its reliable operation for the past six years.

Which projects are you currently working on?
Right now, we’re working on the City Centre Mall’s 5-MW solar system, a contract that includes operation and maintenance. We’re also in discussions with a major project that we hope to close soon.
Additionally, we are working with the Philippine School. Another key client is EWA – although they are our regulators, they are also a very close client. We developed the control system for their headquarters, a 1-MW project inaugurated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

What is your current market share, and how do you compare with competitors like Almoayyed?
We estimate our market share to be around 20-25%. While competition is present, what differentiates us is that we don’t focus solely on solar. We aim to offer full-spectrum energy solutions, including energy efficiency services. For example, we created the Green Innova Academy, which provides government-accredited training and national licensing for solar installers. So far, we have trained around 100 Bahrainis in solar energy.
We also offer advanced energy efficiency programmes and believe that capacity building is key for long-term sustainability. Our goal is to provide a full A-to-Z solution, not just sell a product.

Do you think the Bahraini market is aware of the value of energy efficiency?
There’s still a significant gap in market awareness. If up to 90% of energy is being wasted and we can address that, it’s a big opportunity. Many of the solutions for energy efficiency cost very little – simple behavioural changes or small technical adjustments can yield substantial savings. We have international accreditation for developing energy efficiency practitioners and use AI-based software to assist in optimisation. Educating the market remains one of our main priorities.

What are your future goals for Green Innova?
Our future depends heavily on the sector’s policy environment. National targets like achieving 255 MW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2025 are promising, but as of now, only 73 MW has been installed – just about 30% of the 5% target.
Some key policies are in place but not yet activated. Net metering is already successful, and upcoming policies like feed-in tariffs and mandatory renewable integration for developers could significantly expand the market. Bahrain’s 2060 net-zero carbon goal also introduces opportunities in offshore wind, waste-to-energy and decarbonisation strategies.
We believe better visibility and public understanding of national strategies, such as Bapco Energies’ roadmap, will enable companies like ours to contribute even more meaningfully.

What kind of international expansion is in your future?
Our international expansion is already underway. We have begun operating in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UK. Our training academy is spearheading this expansion. For instance, we
are soon launching capacity-building programmes for renewable energy in the UK. This makes us one of the few Bahraini companies actively exporting green expertise abroad.

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