Dr Nuki Agya Utama is a distinguished energy and sustainability expert with deep experience in regional energy cooperation, transition policy, and pragmatic decarbonisation pathways across Asia. Currently serving as the Director of the Asia Zero Emission Centre (AZEC) under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), he leads initiatives to support ASEAN and partner countries in crafting realistic, inclusive and secure low-carbon strategies.
Dr Nuki previously served as the Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), where he played a pivotal role in shaping energy policies and roadmaps for Southeast Asia, including on the ASEAN Power Grid, energy security frameworks and regional energy outlooks.
He brings a strong commitment to solving the energy trilemma – security, affordability and sustainability – through coordinated regional strategies, innovation in bioenergy and hydrogen and the development of carbon pricing and transition finance mechanisms. His leadership spans cross-sectoral programmes covering power systems, transport and industry, with a focus on balancing economic growth and climate commitments.
Dr Nuki is a frequent speaker at international energy forums and a key contributor to regional policy platforms. His recent work includes advancing decarbonisation roadmaps, promoting green industrial zones and facilitating the development of voluntary carbon market guidelines and clean fuel alternatives like sustainable aviation fuel and green hydrogen.
A passionate advocate for practical, country-tailored approaches, he emphasises data-driven planning and inclusive stakeholder engagement to avoid “wrong” investments that risk undermining environmental and economic security in developing economies.