Washington Energy Council (WEC) is a global advisory group accelerating SMR and microreactor deployment in emerging markets.
We provide strategic counsel, regulatory navigation, partner matchmaking, and multilateral financing support - bridging governments, technology providers, and developers/sponsors to move projects from interests to executable structures.
What We Do
Enabling Conditions & Readiness
National readiness, stakeholder alignment, and structured pathways that mitigate the risk of false starts.
Delivery Models & Partner Ecosystems
Utility/SPV/concession design and ecosystem role definition across government, providers, and sponsors.
Bankability & Financing Pathways
Early alignment of offtake, risk allocation, and realistic capital sources.
How WEC Works
WEC bridges governments, technology providers, and developers/sponsors - so projects move from interest to executable structures
Why WEC
WEC combines international government relationships, emerging-market execution depth, a network of local experts, and U.S. stakeholder presence - helping partners convert interest into credible pathways and implementable projects.
Our team
Justin Friedman
Principal, Technical Strategy & Government Engagement
Justin P. Friedman is a Co‑Founder and Principal of the Washington Energy Council (WEC), bringing 30 years of U.S. State Department leadership across civil nuclear energy, energy security, and nonproliferation. He has negotiated complex government‑to‑government frameworks and market‑conditioning initiatives that open pathways for responsible nuclear cooperation and project deployment. At WEC, Justin leads technical strategy and government engagement—supporting readiness, stakeholder alignment, and trusted partnership structures that help SMR and microreactor projects progress from interest to executable opportunities. He is also Founder and Senior Advisor of Friedman Global Strategies, LLC. Based in the United States
Batu Kutelia
Principal, International Relationships and Government Partnerships
Batu Kutelia is a Co‑Founder and Principal of WEC, focused on the intersection of energy security, advanced nuclear technologies, and geopolitics. A former Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and a former senior national security, defense, and intelligence official—he brings deep experience navigating high‑level government decision making and strategic infrastructure priorities. At WEC, Batu leads international government partnerships and senior‑level engagement, building trusted relationships that enable cooperation, align national objectives, and accelerate SMR and microreactor project pathways. Based in the United States.
Dario Quaranta
Principal, Business Development & Partnerships
Dario Quaranta is a Co‑Founder and Principal of WEC, leading business development and partnerships with governments and project ecosystem stakeholders. He brings 23+ years of experience in sustainable industrial development, eco‑industrial parks/SEZs, industrial decarbonization, and energy & infrastructure finance, including advisory work linked to the EU Delegation to the USA, the World Bank/IFC and ADB. At WEC, Dario helps translate demand anchors—industrial zones, smart cities, and data‑center ecosystems—into credible project concepts, delivery models (utility/SPV/concession), and partner ecosystems that can attract investment. Based in Europe.
Nenad Dordevic
Principal, Finance & Project Structuring, and Business Partnerships
Nenad Dordevic is a Co‑Founder and Principal of WEC, leading finance strategy and project structuring to move SMR and microreactor projects toward bankability and FID. He brings 20+ years across law, banking, capital sourcing, sovereign asset management, and international enterprise development. Nenad is Founder and President of SALTUS LLC, advising clients on cross‑border investment and funding pathways through government programs, multilateral institutions, development banks, and private capital. He previously held senior roles within PNC/Midland supporting large portfolios involving USAID, TIFIA, and OPIC‑related instruments. Based in the United States.
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