Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador
As a successful entrepreneur with multiple exits and an investor with a proven track record, Chris specialises in building and financing innovative business models in the clean energy space. Chris has 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry developing, financing and constructing solar power projects throughout Australia and South East Asia. He has delivered some of Australia’s first large-scale solar farms and large-scale battery storage projects. In 2016, he co-founded Terrain Solar. Within a few years, Terrain Solar's portfolio of renewable energy projects was acquired by a European listed company and the University of Queensland, some of which now power the biggest retailer in Australia, Coles Group, with clean renewable energy. In 2019, he co-founded Firm Power and later signed a large-scale battery contract with UK-listed Octopus Energy. Both Terrain Solar and Firm Power were acquired by AGL in 2024. He continues to lead business ventures and support founders as an experienced entrepreneur and investor.
Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, home to unique ecosystems like the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Rainforest, and the high-altitude grasslands of the Andes. Surrounded by some of the tallest active volcanoes on Earth, these unique landscapes showcase the country’s unparalleled natural beauty. But Ecuador is also the third poorest country in South America, following Bolivia and Venezuela, with over 2.5 million people suffering from hunger and 43% of the rural population living in extreme poverty. 'Pachamama' is a powerful Andean deity, meaning "Mother Earth". She represents the Earth as a nurturing and protective goddess, embodying fertility, abundance and the interconnectedness of all living things. Our Foundation, Pachamama Ecuador, is dedicated to empowering local communities by supporting projects that foster sustainable development, enhance economic opportunities, and uphold the rights of communities to build a sustainable future.
Co-Founder of EM Energy, a CleanTech startup turning waste into green hydrogen using organic chemistry without needing heat or electricity, and in a totally non-biological way. Our game changing technology converts diverse waste streams, including agricultural and brown coal into 100% renewable, carbon-negative hydrogen and fertiliser directly on-site, minimising the need for transporting and storing hydrogen. We provide a new revenue stream from agricultural and brown coal, which would otherwise be burnt or buried in the ground. www.emenergy.com.au
Co-Founder of Firm Power, an Australian-owned energy company dedicated to developing high-quality energy projects that accelerate the energy transition. In 2023, UK-listed Octopus Energy acquired Firm Power's Blackstone BESS project, one of Australia's largest battery projects. AGL acquired Firm Power in 2024 (https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2024/august/binding-agreement-to-acquire-firm-power-and-terrain-solar) www.firmpower.com.au
Co-founder of Terrain Solar, an Australian-owned and operated business that is developing strategically located solar farms across regional Australia. - In 2017, Terrain signed its first project deal with TEC-C for the Molong Solar Farm - in 2018, the University of Queensland (UQ) acquired Terrain's Warwick Solar Farm - In 2019, Terrain secured a first-of-its-kind PPA with Coles group and signed a portfolio deal with European listed company Metka - In 2022, Terrain entered its second portfolio deal with Thai-listed company, RATCH AGL acquired Terrain Solar in 2024 (https://www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/asx-and-media-releases/2024/august/binding-agreement-to-acquire-firm-power-and-terrain-solar) www.terrainsolar.com
Providing technical and commercial front-end engineering and bid support for utility-scale solar EPC projects, including: • Support for estimating, development of bill of quantities, material and labour cost build-ups, etc. • Concept design and bid development, including layouts, take-offs, DC/AC electrical, SCADA, etc. • Energy modelling, energy yield predictions and guarantees, LCOE assessment. • Technical and commercial support for EPC contract negotiations. • Preliminary grid connection support for assessing grid connection compliance risk. Noteworthy projects include: - 120MW Sun Metals Solar Farm - 110MW Darling Downs Solar Farm - 50MW Manildra Solar Farm - 50MW Gannawarra Solar Farm - 35MW Greenough River Solar Farm Expansion - 30MW Oakey Solar Farm - 17.5MW Longreach Solar Farm