- The Optima project in the Indian state of Maharashtra will utilize the proprietary software platform of the company
- The project build-out to serve C&I and utility customers is our first such step in India: BrightNight
Leading renewable power producer, BrightNight recently announced its plans for one of its inaugural projects in India: a differentiated 100 MW co-located, wind-solar hybrid renewable power project that will deliver clean, high-capacity factor power to commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. The company used its proprietary software platform to develop the Optima project located in the State of Maharashtra.
The renewable power project will meet up to 80% of C&I customers’ power consumption and potentially save customers up to 25% annually on their energy bills while avoiding carbon emissions equivalent to up to 6 million tonnes for project life, noted BrightNight.
Interestingly, the project will consist of co-located wind and solar components, hence utilizing grid infrastructure and enabling ease of operations for the grid operator.
Pointing out that BrightNight is growing rapidly in its quest to globally deliver the next generation of renewable power projects, BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann said, “We are well capitalized and have a best-in-class leadership team developing a global portfolio. The Optima project is a great example of how we are using our experienced development team and cutting-edge technology to deliver solutions to our customers: affordable, reliable, and safe renewable power.”
“India is a high-growth market with a strong demand for renewable power. I am proud of the India team’s progress and excited about the tremendous potential this market presents for BrightNight,” added Hermann.
Project Commissioning
It is learnt that as the company has secured the grid connectivity at the state grid substation, BrightNight is targeting to commission the project by 1Q 2024. It plans to work with C&I customers to sign long-term power offtake agreements for the project to meet the highest portion of their power load requirements.
BrightNight mentioned that it has identified India as a core market for its global platform and entered the market with a 1 GW+ portfolio under development led by its Indian team, who have delivered over 7 GW of in-country wind and solar projects.
BrightNight India CEO Sajav KV commented: “Our Optima project is customized to meet the maximum load requirements of our customers. We’ve received a great response from our prospective customers, and we are actively adding to our portfolio to meet the growing demand for dispatchable renewable power in India.”
Notably, BrightNight has established operations in Gurgaon and Pune to support the execution of the project. It also has a senior Advisory Council consisting of leading business and energy leaders, including Ron Somers, CEO of India First Group and former President of the U.S.-India Business Council, and Gireesh Pradhan, former Chairman, CERC and former Secretary of the Ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), Govt of India.
Advisory Council Member Ron Somers remarked, “Investment follows infrastructure, and BrightNight’s project will support businesses that need power with less carbon, greater reliability, and at lower costs. Such a match is beneficial for economic development, the environment, and communities in Maharashtra.”
BrightNight claims to be the first global renewable integrated power company designed to provide utility and commercial and industrial customers with clean, dispatchable renewable power solutions. BrightNight works in the U.S. and Asia Pacific to design, develop, and operate safe, reliable, large-scale renewable power projects optimized to better manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy.
