Swindon & Wiltshire News
Luminous Energy hires Guy Lavarack as chief investment officer
Luminous Energy, a leading solar energy and battery storage developer, has appointed Guy Lavarack as its chief investment officer.
Guy is an experienced investor and developer of energy and infrastructure projects and has more than a decade in the renewable energy industry.
In this new role, created as Corsham-based Luminous Energy approaches its tenth anniversary, Guy will be responsible for raising finance for Luminous’ solar energy and battery storage projects, to enable the company to build out, own and operate them in the long term.
Jolyon Orchard, CEO of Luminous Energy said: “We are delighted that Guy has agreed to join us in this pivotal position.
“Guy’s wealth of experience building a renewables business from 15MW to 150MW valued at more than £150m in six years at Blackfinch Investments, combined with his integrity and character are an excellent fit with our team and business.”
Prior to joining Luminous Energy, Guy was previously head of energy at Blackfinch Investments, an FCA-registered fund manager with over £700 million of assets under management.
As well as building a successful renewables business there, Guy was also personally responsible for agreeing £100 million in new equity capital commitments across seventeen separate acquisitions as principal and arranging project finance facilities of more than £200 million from four leading institutions.
Guy brings strong experience through all stages of the project life cycle including development, construction, and operations. In his career, he has overseen the construction of 50MW of solar and wind assets, taking the projects from planning consent through to commercial operations.
“Renewables is often seen as a quite fragmented market but Luminous is unique in its ability to demonstrate longevity, a diverse portfolio with development activity in the UK and abroad and a ready pipeline of robust, investment-grade projects,” said Guy.
“Luminous is in an excellent position for future growth, and we are open to discussions with institutional investors and funders who are keen to partner with us.
“Now, more than ever, solar energy has a vital role to play at a local, national, and international level in the fight against climate change and contributing positively to the economy.”
“Luminous Energy’s decision to scale-up by building out its own pipeline of projects follows a successful couple of years both in the UK and Australia.
“The addition of Guy’s vast experience of structuring, financing and operating projects to Luminous’ management team will set the business on a sure footing as we enter this space,” added David Bryson, COO at Luminous Energy.
Luminous recently sold a majority stake in its 350MW Hams Hall energy storage project and the first project it aims to construct, the 27MW Bracon Ash solar farm, is currently at ready to build stage with more than 150MW across four further projects following close behind.
Guy will be charged with seeking finance for not only Luminous’ UK-based projects but also its wider development pipeline in the United States, Chile and Australia which consists of more than 300MW+ of solar and battery projects.
