BrightNight, a US-based independent power producer, has announced plans to expand into the Australian energy sector, stating that it will look to provide clean, dispatchable renewable power solutions such as solar PV and storage to utility and commercial and industrial customers.
Martin Hermann, BrightNight’s founder and CEO, stated that the company specialises in hybrid renewable power systems with dispatchable capacity that can meet rapidly changing grid dynamics and increase grid resiliency while remaining economically competitive with traditional forms of energy generation.
While Australia has already seen significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure, Hermann claims that BrightNight will provide power off-takers with next-generation hybrid, peak, and firm power solutions that will outperform standard projects with regard to reliability, and safety.
“As standard renewable energy solutions continue to energise,” the company said in a statement, “intermittent supply combined with growing demand will pose a threat to reliability and be increasingly difficult to manage.”
“By contrast, BrightNight renewable power solutions will provide operators with industry-leading despatch and energy management tools, allowing clients to confidently decarbonize while maintaining reliability.”
Hermann called the company’s entry into Australia “exciting but critical to the success of our customers who are working hard to meet electricity demands and navigate a transforming energy market.”
“We’re eager to be the dependable partner our customers require as they seek value beyond the constraints of a standard, intermittent, renewable energy project,” he said.
BrightNight has completed several utility-scale solar and energy storage projects in the United States, including the 400MW Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Farm in Nevada.
BrightNight has operations in India, Bangladesh, and South-East Asia in addition to the United States.
The company’s entry into the Australian market comes just weeks after the company received a $500 million (AU$697 million) investment from independent fund manager Global Infrastructure Partners.
With two key appointments, BrightNight announced its entry into Australia’s energy market. Polly Baranco, a former Lightsource BP development co-head, has been named head of country, and John Walker of Eastpoint Partners, a former Macquarie Capital chairman, has joined the advisory board.
