WASHINGTON (May 14, 2026) — World Resources Institute (WRI) today announced the appointment of Dr. Nick Wayth as the first Global Director of the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition. Established in 2025 with foundational support from Michael and Tanya Polsky through the Polsky Foundation, the WRI Polsky Energy Center harnesses analytical power, convening ability and global expertise to help orchestrate the transition to a clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy future. 

As Global Director, Wayth will lead the Center’s strategy, partnerships and global engagement, overseeing a distributed international team and strengthening the Center’s role as a leading force in advancing practical, scalable energy solutions.

“Nick brings a rare combination of technical depth, energy sector expertise and strategic leadership needed to accelerate the global energy transition,” said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO at WRI. “His track record of building high-performing teams, forging impactful partnerships and delivering results at scale will be critical as we work to turn ambitious clean energy goals into practical, real-world solutions.”

The WRI Polsky Energy Center brings together WRI’s global experts, a world-class Advisory Group and a diverse network of partners to address systemic challenges and deliver results on the ground. Its approach focuses on generating rigorous, evidence-based analysis; convening decision-makers to co-create and implement solutions; and leveraging WRI’s global reach to scale impact across key economies.

“Nick is the right leader for this moment,” said Michael Polsky, Founder and Executive Chairman of Invenergy. “As energy systems face rising demand, volatility and rapid technological change, the Center has a critical role to play in advancing practical, scalable solutions. Under his leadership, the Center will develop the pragmatic approaches needed to drive the energy future forward as the world experiences energy shocks and rapid electricity consumption.”

Wayth will join WRI in September from the Energy Institute (EI), where he serves as CEO, leading one of the world’s foremost professional bodies for the energy sector. Under his leadership, the organization advances its mission to support a just global energy transition, with a team of more than 100 staff and 2,000 volunteers worldwide. He also led a major transformation that expanded the Institute’s scale, membership and global impact, while modernizing its systems and strengthening its financial performance. The EI is widely regarded as an authoritative voice on global energy trends, including through its flagship  Statistical Review of World Energy and engagement with thousands of energy professionals, policymakers and industry leaders worldwide.

Prior to the EI, Wayth held senior leadership roles in the private sector, including at BP, where he led the company’s global renewable energy business. He oversaw major wind and solar projects and helped shape BP’s strategy in a rapidly evolving clean energy landscape. Over the course of his career, he has worked across global markets, bringing deep technical expertise in areas such as offshore wind and hydrogen, while developing a strong track record of working with governments, industry and civil society to advance the energy transition.

“I am thrilled to be joining WRI at such a critical time for the energy transition. The global reach of WRI coupled with the support of the Polsky Foundation creates an opportunity for meaningful impact,” said Nick Wayth. “The shift toward more reliable, domestically sourced energy is not only about long-term sustainability — it is increasingly important for economic stability, consumer affordability, energy security and resilience. I look forward to working with WRI’s partners around the world to accelerate solutions that help countries build stronger, more secure energy systems.”

In this role, Wayth will advance the Center’s global strategy to overcome critical barriers to modernizing and expanding energy grids, steering large energy buyer demand, scaling financing and deployment, sourcing critical minerals responsibly and building a skilled, future-ready workforce. 

About the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition 

The WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition harnesses analytical power, convening ability and global expertise to help orchestrate the transition to a clean, abundant and reliable energy future by delivering evidence-based, pragmatic and scalable solutions. As global energy demand surges—driven by advances in AI, rapid electrification and economic transformation—the nonpartisan WRI Polsky Energy Center seeks to overcome critical barriers in six areas: transmission & distribution, siting, large buyer demand, critical minerals, energy finance, and the energy workforce & entrepreneurs of the future.    

About World Resources Institute 

WRI works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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