Agora appoints new director for Southeast Asia and deepens China engagement

Berlin/Bangkok/Beijing, 1 August 2026. Agora Energiewende builds out its engagement in Southeast Asia and China – two geographies that are key to a successful global energy transition – through the leadership of Elrika Hamdi as new Director Southeast Asia at Agora’s Bangkok office, and Kevin Tu as Chief Advisor for China.   

Elrika Hamdi joined Agora as Southeast Asia Director on 1 August 2026. An energy finance and policy specialist for almost 20 years, she will work with her new team to advance the think tank’s work on grid modernisation, the ramp-up of renewables and phase-down of fossil energy, and the uptake of clean technologies in industry across the region. Before joining Agora, Elrika Hamdi was Deputy Head of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Secretariat of Indonesia. Prior to this, she worked as a researcher for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and as a consultant for multiple international foreign aid and development agencies such as UNEP, USAID and GIZ.   

Climate and energy policy expert Kevin Tu will focus on his role as Chief Advisor China at Agora Energiewende, working on China’s relations with major economies and their implications for the country’s energy and climate policies. Tu previously led Agora Energiewende's strategic partner organisation, Agora Energy China, in Beijing.

Markus Steigenberger, Managing Director of Agora Think Tanks, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Elrika Hamdi as Director for the Southeast Asia programme and to have Kevin Tu as Chief Advisor for China. Two proven experts in key regions of the energy transition, Hamdi and Tu bring strong global and regional energy policy expertise and extensive networks to Agora. The ongoing global energy crisis has underscored the need for close international and cross-regional collaboration on policy solutions for the transition towards a resilient and clean energy system. Hamdi and Tu will play a crucial role in advancing such collaboration and exchange.”  

Elrika Hamdi said: 

"I'm honoured to join Agora and lead its work in Southeast Asia. Through sustainable investment, sound policy design and cooperation, this region has the potential to build clean, resilient and affordable power systems. Together with my talented team, alongside international and local partners, I look forward to help shaping policy solutions that drive the transition across Southeast Asia and internationally.”  

Kevin Tu said:  

“I am pleased to continue contributing to Agora's work on China's role in the global energy transition as well as the country's growing engagement with key stakeholders across regions. China's dual role as the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter and a leading economy in clean energy underscores its critical importance to global climate and energy transition efforts. As Chief Advisor China, I will provide strategic insights and facilitate collaboration with Chinese and international partners to advance cross-regional energy and industrial transformation.”