Reliable, Renewable Power to Support Australia's Green Energy Future
BrightNight Australia
BrightNight is an international renewable, independent power producer built to deliver industry-leading, large-scale solutions. We work to deliver dispatchable renewable power capacity to utilities and commercial & industrial (C&I) companies around the globe. We are excited to introduce our experienced team and innovative solutions to Australia.
Beyond supplying affordable and readily dispatchable power, we recognise the green energy transition impacts each community in unique ways. We want to understand what is important to our projects’ neighbours, share our experience, and move into the future in lockstep with the communities we serve. As the long-term owner of our renewable projects, BrightNight’s engagement with communities is based on an enduring relationship. We make an effort to inform, educate, gather feedback, and adapt throughout each project’s operational lifetime.
The BrightNight Difference
We develop, design, construct, and operate renewable power projects that our customers actually need. Our projects go beyond the standard renewable energy design. We provide customers with hybrid, multi-technology, dispatchable solutions aimed to support decarbonisation and overcome the challenges of intermittent renewable supply. Across the globe, BrightNight supports renewable power investments with our safe, reliable, and economical solutions.
Our Experienced Team
BrightNight’s Australia team is passionate, driven, and committed to determining the best energy storage and dispatch solution for each community. Our local experts are backed by industry leaders worldwide with a proven record of developing, delivering, and operating large-scale renewable energy projects.
Our team is eager to share our cutting-edge hybrid model of co-located renewable generation (large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) that help make renewable energy more affordable.
Featured Project: The Mortlake Energy Hub
Mortlake in southwest regional Victoria has been identified as the preferred location for BrightNight’s Energy Hub Project. The site has been chosen due to its close proximity to an existing substation, meaning existing power infrastructure can be utilised. It will allow solar energy to be stored in the BESS and distributed quickly and efficiently to homes and businesses in peak demand when the sun isn’t shining.
Learn more at the Mortlake Energy Hub Project Page
Our Local Leaders
Jerome Ortiz - Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific
Jerome leads BrightNight’s position and growth in Asia Pacific and brings more than 15 years of development and financing experience in the power and renewables sector across a number of emerging markets.
Prior to joining BrightNight, Jerome was Vice President at 8minutenergy, where he spearheaded the firm’s expansion into high-growth markets in Asia Pacific, with a focus on development and capital raising activities. He was instrumental in developing one of the first utility-scale solar projects in Bangladesh.
Previously, Jerome held several senior banking project finance roles. He was Sr. Vice President and acted as Asia Head of Power and Renewables at MUFG, the largest project finance bank globally. He ran a team that arranged and advised several billion dollars worth of conventional power and renewable energy project finance transactions across Asia Pacific. Prior to that, Jerome was Senior Director at Standard Chartered Bank in London and Singapore, where he led multiple advisories, project finance and capital raising transactions in Asia and Africa. He directed the bank’s successful efforts into the renewable energy market in India, which would become one of the largest renewable markets in Asia Pacific.
Jerome holds a master’s degree in finance from Grenoble Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Nantes. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife Sandra and two children, Anna and Max. He loves traveling with his family and enjoys running.
Polly Baranco, Chief Development Officer, Australia
Polly Baranco leads development for BrightNight Australia, bringing two-decades-long deep expertise in energy finance, M&A, and project development across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. She has successfully built local partnerships, expanded regional energy investment, and fostered collaboration between industry and government. Prior to BrightNight, Polly held senior roles at Lightsource bp and sPower (AES). She holds an MBA in Finance from the Drucker School of Management.
Brian Morris, Chief Commercial Officer, Australia
Brian Morris leads commercial strategy for BrightNight Australia, bringing over 30 years of expertise in energy trading, renewable energy strategy, and risk management. He has a proven track record of securing long-term revenue contracts and building strategic partnerships across the energy sector. Prior to BrightNight, Brian was Director at Macquarie Group’s Green Investments business. He serves on the board of the Energy Users Association of Australia and previously the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity. Brian holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University.
Katie Barnett, Chief Financial Officer, Australia
Katie Barnett leads BrightNight Australia’s financial strategy, bringing over two decades of experience in power markets, energy finance, and M&A. She has led more than 50 transactions valued at over A$18 billion, with deep expertise in project financing and large-scale renewables. Prior to BrightNight, Katie was a Partner at PwC, advancing the firm’s utility-scale storage practice, and held senior roles at Origin Energy and PowAR (now Tilt Renewables). She holds a Master in Applied Finance from Macquarie University and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
