ACEN starts 153-MW hybrid project commissioning in India

ACEN Corp., the Ayala Group’s listed energy arm, and US-based renewable power company BrightNight are inching closer to augmenting the energy grid in India as they commission the first phase of the 153-megawatt (MW) hybrid Optima Maharashtra project.

In a stock exchange report on Friday, ACEN said the project, among the first co-located wind-solar installations in Maharashtra, will help Maharashtra achieve its goal of sourcing more than 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

It can deliver dispatchable clean energy sufficient to power approximately 230,000 homes annually while reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 225,000 metric tons annually.

Located in Dharashiv, Southern Maharashtra and spanning over 500 acres, the Optima Maharashtra project integrates advanced wind and solar technologies with BrightNight’s proprietary AI-enabled PowerAlpha® platform.

Energy transition in India

“Our partnership with BrightNight on this project represents a significant step forward in accelerating the energy transition in India,” Patrice Clausse, ACEN International CEO said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, BrightNight APAC CEO Jerome Ortiz emphasized the project’s alignment with India’s net-zero vision.

“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.

Pioneering model

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,” Ortiz said.

The partnership between ACEN and BrightNight, established in 2023, aims to build a development pipeline of over 1.2 GW in India.

Beyond advancing India’s renewable energy goals, the Optima Maharashtra project is expected to create approximately 300 jobs during its development phase and spur growth in the renewable energy sector.