Nitin Apte, CEO, Vena Energy, 0
Boasting more than three decades of professional experience—the major wedge of it in leadership roles, Nitin Apte took over as CEO of Vena Energy in 2018, overseeing the renewable energy provider across the Asia-Pacific region. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Nitin has steered the company toward significant growth by expanding its renewable energy capacity and operations. His leadership philosophy revolves around purpose-driven decision-making, empowering regional teams to adopt 'local' while maintaining a global vision.
How do you approach leadership in the context of leading a global company with operations in multiple regions?
As I always tell the team: individually, we are one piece, but together, we build the whole picture. One of Vena Energy’s greatest strengths is our ability to operate effectively and efficiently by sharing knowledge and expertise across multiple countries and technologies. This approach has fueled our rapid success and allowed us to develop three key verticals: onshore solar and wind, energy storage, and offshore wind.
Our diversity is what drives us forward. Over the past six years, our workforce has tripled, attracting talent from all corners of the globe. This diversity has been instrumental in our innovative approach and success. It's been fulfilling to see the synergy and strength that come from such a dynamic mix of perspectives. We embrace Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity by empowering every individual and valuing their specialized knowledge. By leveraging the collective expertise of our teams across regions, we stay ahead in the energy transition, combining global perspectives with local insights. This collaboration sharpens our edge, enabling us to deliver smarter, faster solutions.
With this experienced and diverse team, Vena Energy has successfully delivered over 50 projects since 2018. Our team's wide-ranging expertise has been key to overcoming the many challenges we face. Whether it’s navigating complex relationships, optimizing transmission connections, or engaging with stakeholders and regulators, our team finds solutions swiftly, working together with partners and communities.
As CEO, I focus on maintaining this balance—ensuring that we empower our teams to take ownership while uniting them under a common vision. This is what makes our approach so powerful.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and sustainability at Vena Energy?
At Vena Energy, we call it “Winnovation”. Innovation and sustainability are not just goals for us—they are at the heart of who we are. Guided by our core values of Respect, Expertise, Execution, Energy, Edge, Empowerment, and External Focus, we’ve cultivated a culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration. Through initiatives like “CreatiVena,” we share best practices across markets and teams during our town halls and workshops, encouraging curiosity, asking questions, and challenging the status quo.
We foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated, knowing that the best solutions often come from collaboration across regions and expertise. One standout example of our Winnovation is our Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). As pioneers of hybrid renewable energy projects, we’ve combined solar, wind, and energy storage solutions to create more reliable and consistent energy outputs. By deploying large-scale battery storage, we not only enhance grid stability but also store excess renewable energy generated during off-peak times, which can be dispatched when demand is high.
We’re constantly pushing boundaries. Recently, we received conditional approval from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) to export 400 megawatts (MW) of solar power from Indonesia’s Riau Islands to Singapore—a significant milestone for us.
But our impact goes beyond just delivering green energy solutions. We are committed to engineering a greener future through close collaboration with local communities. In Asia, renewable energy is set
to play a pivotal role in meeting growing energy demands while addressing environmental and economic needs. Companies like Vena Energy are at the forefront, providing energy security, access to clean power, supporting decarbonization goals, and contributing to job creation, upskilling, and climate resilience.
One initiative that is close to my heart is the Jeger Buana Lombok (JBL) program, a community-driven effort we launched in collaboration with Mataram University. Focused on women’s empowerment, the program aims to create sustainable economic value by improving the production capacity of a cassava cracker business in our PLTS site area. By providing local women with the skills and resources they need to succeed, we’re helping to elevate their entrepreneurial potential.
Our commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment through the JBL program was recently recognized with the Small-Medium Enterprise Corporate Social Responsibility Award (SME CSR Awards Asia 2024) in the Women Development SMEs Group category in Indonesia. The program has grown into much more than a cassava cracker business—it’s a symbol of creativity and empowerment, showing how sustainable micro-enterprises can drive significant social and economic progress.
At Vena Energy, we believe in championing the potential of individuals to create lasting positive change in their communities, and we remain dedicated to fostering economic opportunities that transform lives and contribute to sustainable development.
What role does collaboration play in your leadership style, both within your team and with external stakeholders?
Collaboration is the cornerstone of Vena Energy’s success and is central to my leadership approach. Internally, we foster a culture of open communication, where our senior leaders work side-by-side with their teams in an open-space office environment that promotes accessibility and trust. Our Vena Stars program further strengthens collaboration by allowing team members to express appreciation for each other’s contributions. Externally, collaboration with governments, communities, and industry partners is essential in advancing our mission. We believe that creating a world without compromises requires strong, transparent relationships built on shared values and goals. This collaborative spirit drives our work in the renewable energy sector.
How do you encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking among your team members?
Creativity and innovation thrive in environments where individuals feel empowered and supported, and at Vena Energy, we prioritize both. We foster a culture where our team members are encouraged to push boundaries and think beyond conventional solutions. Through programs like cross-functional collaborations and initiatives like “CreatiVena,” we share best practices and create opportunities for creative problem-solving by drawing on diverse perspectives and expertise.
Additionally, we prioritize well-being through initiatives like V-Evolution, which provides holistic care and support, supporting our teams to balance work and life more effectively. We also offer flexible work arrangements and volunteer hours to enable our people to make a meaningful impact in their communities, which reinforce our purpose-driven mission.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders looking to make an impact in the energy sector?
To aspiring leaders in the energy sector, my advice is to remain steadfast in your commitment to sustainability and continuous learning. The energy sector is evolving rapidly, and leaders must be adaptable, resilient, and open to innovation. Understand that collaboration is key—whether with your team, external partners, or the communities you serve.
At Vena Energy, our rapid growth and scaling — nearly tripling our operating capacity over six years—has been driven by our ability to align purpose with action. I encourage aspiring leaders to focus on creating meaningful impacts while maintaining a deep respect for both people and the planet.
Innovation and sustainability are not just goals for us—they are at the heart of who we are. Guided by our core values of Respect, Expertise, Execution, Energy, Edge, Empowerment, and External Focus, we’ve cultivated a culture that thrives on creativity and collaboration
One initiative that is close to my heart is the Jeger Buana Lombok (JBL) program, a community-driven effort we launched in collaboration with Mataram University. Focused on women’s empowerment, the program aims to create sustainable economic value by improving the production capacity of a cassava cracker business in our PLTS site area. By providing local women with the skills and resources they need to succeed, we’re helping to elevate their entrepreneurial potential.
Our commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment through the JBL program was recently recognized with the Small-Medium Enterprise Corporate Social Responsibility Award (SME CSR Awards Asia 2024) in the Women Development SMEs Group category in Indonesia. The program has grown into much more than a cassava cracker business—it’s a symbol of creativity and empowerment, showing how sustainable micro-enterprises can drive significant social and economic progress.
At Vena Energy, we believe in championing the potential of individuals to create lasting positive change in their communities, and we remain dedicated to fostering economic opportunities that transform lives and contribute to sustainable development.
What role does collaboration play in your leadership style, both within your team and with external stakeholders?
Collaboration is the cornerstone of Vena Energy’s success and is central to my leadership approach. Internally, we foster a culture of open communication, where our senior leaders work side-by-side with their teams in an open-space office environment that promotes accessibility and trust. Our Vena Stars program further strengthens collaboration by allowing team members to express appreciation for each other’s contributions. Externally, collaboration with governments, communities, and industry partners is essential in advancing our mission. We believe that creating a world without compromises requires strong, transparent relationships built on shared values and goals. This collaborative spirit drives our work in the renewable energy sector.
How do you encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking among your team members?
Creativity and innovation thrive in environments where individuals feel empowered and supported, and at Vena Energy, we prioritize both. We foster a culture where our team members are encouraged to push boundaries and think beyond conventional solutions. Through programs like cross-functional collaborations and initiatives like “CreatiVena,” we share best practices and create opportunities for creative problem-solving by drawing on diverse perspectives and expertise.
Additionally, we prioritize well-being through initiatives like V-Evolution, which provides holistic care and support, supporting our teams to balance work and life more effectively. We also offer flexible work arrangements and volunteer hours to enable our people to make a meaningful impact in their communities, which reinforce our purpose-driven mission.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders looking to make an impact in the energy sector?
To aspiring leaders in the energy sector, my advice is to remain steadfast in your commitment to sustainability and continuous learning. The energy sector is evolving rapidly, and leaders must be adaptable, resilient, and open to innovation. Understand that collaboration is key—whether with your team, external partners, or the communities you serve.
At Vena Energy, our rapid growth and scaling — nearly tripling our operating capacity over six years—has been driven by our ability to align purpose with action. I encourage aspiring leaders to focus on creating meaningful impacts while maintaining a deep respect for both people and the planet.