Vaitea Cowan

Vaitea Cowan is a passionate entrepreneur and advocate for green hydrogen, co-founding Enapter to develop and scale AEM electrolyzer technology for producing emission-free hydrogen. Her work with Enapter aimed to replace fossil fuels across various sectors, leading the company to significant growth, public listing, and the deployment of thousands of units globally, earning it the prestigious Earthshot Prize in 2021. fiftyyears+3

Driven by her personal experience growing up in New Caledonia, an island susceptible to climate change impacts, Vaitea has a deeply personal motivation to combat climate change. She envisioned replacing diesel generators with green hydrogen in her home region and continues to advocate for sustainable energy solutions to protect vulnerable communities. earthshotprize+3

Recognized for her leadership and impact in the energy sector, Vaitea was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy list in 2020 and is a TED speaker. She frequently participates in global forums and events, promoting green hydrogen and engaging with leaders like Prince William and Bill Gates to advance climate solutions and foster innovation. ted+2

Beyond her entrepreneurial work, Vaitea is committed to fostering diversity and supporting emerging talent in the green energy sector. She co-founded Women In Green Hydrogen to create a supportive network and has served as an executive for Sigma Squared Society, focusing on empowering young founders. She also advises Concordia University's Volt-Age program, bridging academic research with industry for clean energy transition. women-in-green-hydrogen+2