ACEN Corp. and BrightNight’s 153 MW Hybrid Renewable Project in India Begins Commissioning

ACEN, the listed energy company of the Ayala group, and U.S.-based renewable power company, BrightNight, have begun commissioning the first phase of the hybrid ~153 MWdc (~115 MWac) Optima Maharashtra project. As one of the first co-located wind-solar projects in the State of Maharashtra, this milestone marks a significant advancement in India’s clean energy journey.

Strategically located in Dharashiv, Southern Maharashtra, and spanning over 500 acres, Optima Maharashtra combines state-of-the-art wind and solar technologies with BrightNight’s proprietary AI-enabled PowerAlpha® platform. This cutting-edge system maximizes energy output while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint, setting a benchmark for scalable, sustainable energy solutions across India.

Accelerating India’s energy transition

Optima Maharashtra is poised to play a transformative role in helping Maharashtra achieve its goal of sourcing over 50 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030. The project’s capacity to deliver dispatchable clean energy can power approximately 230,000 homes annually, while reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 225,000 metric tons per year.

Patrice Clausse, ACEN International CEO, said: “Our partnership with BrightNight on this project represents a significant step forward in accelerating the energy transition in India. As a partner deeply committed to renewable energy, ACEN is proud to support this landmark project, which aligns with our shared vision of a sustainable and decarbonized future for the region.”

Jerome Ortiz, BrightNight APAC CEO, said: “We are actively advancing our gigawatt-scale portfolio in India, where we will leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver reliable, round-the-clock clean and sustainable power. Optima Maharashtra perfectly aligns with the State’s clean energy goals and India’s vision to be a net zero carbon emitter by 2070. It also serves as a pioneering model for similar projects and partnerships in the Asia Pacific region.”

Driving climate investments and economic growth

In 2023, ACEN formed its partnership with BrightNight with the goal of building out its development pipeline of over 1.2 GW in India.

Beyond addressing India’s energy transition, Optima Maharashtra is expected to create approximately 300 jobs during its development phase and drive growth within the renewable energy industry. The project’s deployment of advanced technology solutions also offers a tailored approach to addressing the State’s unique energy demands while minimizing environmental impacts.

Naveen Khandelwal, BrightNight India CEO, said: “This project is the first of many from BrightNight India and sets a blueprint for future developments that will drive faster and deeper decarbonization. In addition to prioritizing the most efficient use of resources within the areas we operate, we are collaborating with local communities and key stakeholders to help shape a future where renewable energy underpins India’s economic growth and global leadership.”

BrightNight is the first global renewable integrated power company designed to provide utility and commercial and industrial customers with clean, dispatchable renewable power solutions. BrightNight works with customers across 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. Its deep customer engagement process, team of proven power experts, and industry-leading solutions enable customers to overcome challenging energy sustainability standards, rapidly changing grid dynamics, and the transition away from fossil fuel generation.

ACEN, the Ayala group’s listed energy platform, is at the forefront of the energy transition, with a rapidly growing presence across the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR and the USA. The company currently has 6.8 GW of attributable renewable energy capacity spanning operational, under-construction, and committed projects.

As a pioneer in advancing the shift to sustainable energy, ACEN is dedicated to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power across the Asia-Pacific region. With an ambitious target to scale its renewable energy capacity to 20 GW by 2030, the company is on track to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2025 and reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, driving a carbon-neutral future and supporting the global energy transition.