Nuki Agya Utama

Dr. Nuki Agya Utama is a distinguished energy and sustainability expert with deep experience in regional energy cooperation, transition policy, and pragmatic decarbonization pathways across Asia. Currently serving as the Director of the Asia Zero Emission Center (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 programs 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 decarbonization 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 emphasizes data-driven planning and inclusive stakeholder engagement to avoid “wrong” investments that risk undermining environmental and economic security in developing economies.