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Antonio Castellano

PartnerSingapore

Coleads McKinsey’s Sustainability and Electric Power & Natural Gas Practices in Southeast Asia, advising global utilities and governments on energy strategy, operational transformation, and sustainable solutions

As co-leader of McKinsey’s regional work in sustainability and electric power and natural gas, Antonio specializes in helping clients navigate complex energy challenges and drive sustainable growth. He brings deep sector expertise in shaping long-term strategies, improving operational performance, and advancing alternative-energy solutions for global utilities and governments.

Over the years, Antonio has worked extensively with national and regional leaders to drive energy initiatives, reconfigure utility operations, and design innovative solutions for renewable and alternative energy adoption.

Examples of Antonio’s recent client work include:

  • Developing a 10-year strategy for a Southeast Asian utility, encompassing core operations, and domestic and international growth plans
  • Setting-up a business development accelerator function for a large integrated utility company to scale opportunities beyond core, including fiber and distributed generation
  • Developing and executing a risk transformation for an integrated utility company to enhance its risk organization, processes, and modelling capabilities, with a focus on emerging risks such as climate impacts and new investment
  • Designing and executing an operations-improvement program for a leading global utility, including organizational redesign and a roadmap to achieve best-practice performance across divisions and regions
  • Supporting a national regulator on enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of its local electricity sector
  • Collaborating with the ministry of energy in a Southeast Asian country to create a 20-year plan covering electricity, oil and gas, renewables, and energy efficiency
  • Shaping an alternative-energy strategy, spanning nuclear and renewables, for a Middle Eastern government agency. This included setting aspirations, identifying energy-mix targets, selecting technologies, and assessing the impact on localization

Antonio is also a thought leader on energy-related topics, regularly contributing to McKinsey’s publications and speaking at high-profile industry forums.

Outside of work, Antonio is passionate about capacity building. He was part of the leadership team for Studio ergo Lavoro, a national initiative aimed at improving the school-to-work transition in Italy. He also has trained as professional business coach within the International Coaching Federation. 

Before moving to Southeast Asia, Antonio worked in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Published Work

Renewable energy in Southeast Asia: A glass half full,” McKinsey & Company, April 2024

Capturing the wind: Renewable-energy opportunities in Vietnam,” McKinsey & Company, November 2021

Exploring an alternative pathway for Vietnam’s energy future,” McKinsey & Company, January 2019

Commercial excellence: Powering success in today’s evolving energy retail utility markets,” McKinsey & Company, May 2018

Powering Africa,” McKinsey & Company, February 2015

Studio ergo Lavoro,” McKinsey & Company, January 2014

Media

Southeast Asia needs to accelerate development of capacities for renewable energy: Study,” CNA, April 2024

Education

INSEAD
MBA

École Centrale Paris
Laurea, engineering

Polytechnic University of Milan
Laurea, engineering