Providing Off-the-Grid Energy, Without the Smoke and Toxins

This article is part of a Women and Leadership special report highlighting the work by women around the world addressing climate change.

Sunaina Sinha Haldea’s itinerant childhood — in New Delhi; Lagos, Nigeria; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Hanoi, Vietnam — shaped her future as the first female leader of the clean energy company SFC Energy AG. Days-long power cuts were common in the areas where her family lived, and they were dependent on toxin-producing diesel generators to light their homes and provide gas.

“I used to stare at the smoke these generators spewed and worry about the harmful chemicals that streamed into our house,” Ms. Haldea said. “I always thought there must be a better energy source than this.”

Ms. Haldea, 44, who lives in London, was the founder and managing partner of Cebile Capital, a private equity firm that was acquired by the investment bank Raymond James in 2021. Her formative years and insight from a good friend helped stoke her interest in SFC, based in Brunnthal, Germany. In 2021, Ms. Haldea became the first female board member and this year was appointed chairwoman; she is also the global head of Private Capital Advisory for Raymond James.

SFC Energy AG produces fuel cells that provide off-grid power with significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional sources such as diesel generators. It operates worldwide and supplies electrical energy to homes, public security and telecommunications companies, large corporations and remote areas that aren’t connected to power grids. Ms. Haldea was interviewed by email and phone. The conversation was edited and condensed.

Where do you see the application of fuel cell technology in the context of global warming?

Fuel cell technology is sustainable, efficient and not prohibitive pricewise. Replacing a single generator with a hydrogen fuel cell [powered by a continuously supplied fuel like hydrogen] can avoid approximately 45 tons of annual emissions. If you use these cells in hundreds and thousands of generators, the change it can make is significant and can help mitigate climate change.