Powering Europe to a greener future

Our Team

BNZ has a team with more than half a century of experience managing renewable energy plants.

Our team is compact and highly efficient. We employ experts in all stages of the project lifecycle and develop, construct and operate various types of renewable energy projects across Europe.

Scott Lawrence

Board Member

Scott is a board member of BNZ. He was also a Partner in Nuveen Infrastructure and was a founding director of BNP Paribas Clean Energy Partners. Scott has led the investment in more than 1GW of solar photovoltaic generation capacity and was the leader of Nuveen Infrastructure initiatives in this sector.

Scott has a broad network of connections throughout the solar universe having previously founded a company formed to finance and develop a series of solar power plants in Spain. Scott’s established relationships with panel manufacturers and developers has been key to Nuveen Infrastructure success in investment in solar PV markets throughout Europe.

Scott holds an MBA from London Business School and a BS from Cornell University.

Jordi Francesch

Board Member

Jordi is a board member of BNZ. He is also the Managing Director of Asset Management of Nuveen Infrastructure. He has more than 18 years’ experience in the energy sector, 11 of which spent in renewables, specifically in renewable energy development, operation, maintenance, due diligence, advisory and asset management.

Jordi provides strategic direction to the portfolio; leading on any material contractual challenges, assisting with acquisitions and their incorporation into the portfolio, sitting on most of the project company boards, overseeing governance for the wholly owned projects and regularly reporting to the management committees and non-executive board.

Jordi holds a BSc in Economics, an MBA from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and an MSc in Environmental Economics from the University of London.

Luis Selva

Managing Director

Luis Selva is BNZ’s Managing Director. He leads the activity and the BNZ team, with an experience that includes managing services, O&M Solutions, after-sale services, or commissioning  renewable assets across 22 countries.

Luis has had a strong presence in the solar photovoltaic generation private initiative in Spain during more than 16 years at Ingeteam, and joined BNZ from QBI Solutions, where he held the role of CCO, providing asset management software to the renewable industry.

Luis holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering from UCLM University, an MBA from IEN Madrid, and MSc in Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency at UCLM and International Operational Coordination at ICEX.

Peter Karam

Operations Director

Peter is the Operations Director of BNZ. He contributes to the team effort with more than 8 years of experience in the Solar PV and Wind renewable energies, in different phases of the projects’ life, and with a leaning towards asset management.

Prior to joining BNZ, Peter held various management and senior management positions in the asset management division of Vector Renewables (ex. Vector Cuatro) both in France and Spain and was focused on foreign markets. He also headed the technical asset management team of Alten RE, a Madrid-based IPP with international presence. Over the span of his career, he has managed more than 1.5GW of renewable energy assets.

Peter holds an MSc in Electronics from Salvatore Dali’s center of the world, Perpignan, and an MSc in General Management from IAE Lyon.

María Puente

Finance Director

Maria is the Finance Director of BNZ. She has more than fifteen years of experience in the financial sector, where she has advised multinationals in the energy sector, including companies specialising in renewables, both nationally and internationally.

Prior to joining the BNZ team, María developed her career at PwC as Senior Manager within the audit area, designing the team’s strategy, taking responsibility for project management, coordinating different work groups and preparing the documentation and auditing of her clients’ financial statements. She has extensive experience in local and international accounting standards, and has worked in audits of relevant groups in the sector, as well as in the preparation of international proposals.

María holds a double degree in Law and Business Administration from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and a Master in Auditing from the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (UAH). She is also a member of the Official Register of Auditors (ROAC).

Daniel Sánchez López - Tello

Engineering & Construction Director

Daniel is the Engineering & Construction Director at BNZ. He has more than fifteen years of experience in the engineering sector, twelve of them in the renewable energy sector. 

Prior to joining the BNZ team, Daniel spent most of his career at Ingeteam as O&M manager in solar energy projects, being in charge of international accounts and helping the international expansion of the company, managing a portfolio of more than 3 GW in solar PV projects in different countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. Previously his activity was dedicated to the construction management of several projects, being more than 150 MW built in a total of 8 projects between Spain, UK and Mexico. 

Daniel holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCL-M), complemented later with the mention of Graduate in Industrial Engineering, doing his final project at the University of Waterford (Ireland). He also has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Risk Prevention from CEU – San Pablo.

Gabriele Sommantico

Head of Development

Gabriele is the Head of Development of BNZ. He has been committed more than 14 years to the energy transition across EMEA, focusing on investment planning, strategy, project and business development.  Gabriele heads current pipeline development and business growth activities at BNZ.

Before joining BNZ, Gabriele has held leadership positions within reference players in the renewables industry, such as utility giant Enel and leading onshore wind developer OX2, where he managed renewable project and business development. He has also covered different managerial positions within Terna, Europe’ largest independent TSO, dealing with infrastructure investment planning, strategy and energy commercialization.

Gabriele holds a BSc and a MSc in Electrical Engineering from University of Naples “Federico II” and an MBA from IE Business School.

Carolina Bravo

Head of Controlling

Carolina is Head of Controlling at BNZ. She has over fifteen years’ experience in the financial sector, where she has managed and overseen relationships with lawyers and other industry stakeholders, both at a national and international level.

Prior to joining the BNZ team, Carolina worked at PwC as a Senior Manager in Audit, leading teams for national and multinational clients in the energy industry. She was responsible for project management, resource planning, design of audit strategies and preparation and review of financial statements. In addition, he has led the evaluation of internal control of listed entities, preparing and issuing reasonable assurance reports on the Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR).

Carolina holds a double degree in Law and Business Administration from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and an Executive MBA in Fashion Business from the ISEM Fashion Business School of the University of Navarra.

Arnau Girona

Solar Engineer

Arnau is the Solar Engineer at BNZ. He has more than 7 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, with a strong technical knowledge on the design, construction, and contractual aspects of large-scale solar PV projects.

Prior to joining BNZ, Arnau held several senior positions in leading international consultancy firms specialised in renewable energy. As a consultant, he has provided a broad range of technical support for equity and debt investors including energy yield assessments, site and factory inspections, design reviews, construction monitoring and operational assessments. With a great understanding of the industry standards, he has also contributed to the drafting and negotiation of EPC contracts including new performance testing methodologies for various technology developments.

Arnau holds an MEng in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and an MSc in Renewable Energy Systems from the Strathclyde University in Glasgow.

Maria Luisa Medina

Finance Controller

Maria Luisa is the Financial Controller of BNZ. She has more than eight years of experience in various financial areas, six of them entirely dedicated to the renewable energy sector with a focus on photovoltaic and wind energy.

Prior to joining the BNZ team, Maria Luisa developed her career at Vector Renewables as a financial analyst in charge of Japan, Mexico and France. She also held the position of Controller at Vestas, with reporting and compliance responsibilities, designing and supervising the company’s financial management control instruments, while coordinating and optimizing different areas of the company in Morocco, Senegal and France.

Maria Luisa holds a degree in Economics from the University of Granada and has advanced studies in accounting from the CEF, as well as Erasmus exchanges at the universities of Nottingham and Rennes I.

José Luis Sanz

Construction Manager

José Luis is the Construction Manager of BNZ’s Photovoltaic Plants.  He has more than fifteen years of experience in the renewable energy sector, where he has also worked as project manager. His tasks include the integral control of the execution of the projects in the field: Organization of the subcontractors works (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Scada, CCTV). Interaction with the client, support to project engineering, relationship with suppliers. Commissioning and start-up of installations. 

Before joining BNZ, José Luis was responsible for the construction and execution of different photovoltaic projects in companies of the sector such as METKA, ET Solutions, Gransolar or ABB among others. His duties ranged from management, to controlling construction times and ensuring the safety and quality of the project, as well as the supervision of technical documents and materials.

José Luis holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Valladolid and also has a Master’s degree in Business Management.

Mónica Garrido

HSSEQ Manager

Mónica is the HSSEQ Manager at BNZ. She has more than 15 years of experience in the energy, applied engineering and construction sector, working as responsible for health and safety, quality and environment.

Before joining BNZ, Mónica developed her professional career as HSSEQ Manager in different companies in the sector such as INITEC Energía, Grupo STIN and Capital Energy. Her responsibilities included the performance and coordination of internal and external inspections and audits; risk assessment and implementation of preventive measures; staff training, as well as the development, implementation and monitoring of plans and procedures related to the HSSEQ area and the supervision and control of various projects carried out in Spain, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Peru, Morocco and Costa Rica.

In addition, she has extensive experience in company organization and process standardization, as well as in the implementation and development of management systems in accordance with ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 standards.

Mónica holds a law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and a master’s degree in Personnel Management and Labor Consulting from the Instituto de Formación y Empleo and a master’s degree in Occupational Risk Prevention from the Camilo José Cela University.

Francisco Muñoz

Project Manager

Francisco is Project Manager at BNZ. With more than 17 years of experience in the solar energy sector, he has worked as a senior consultant, project engineer and project manager. His tasks include project design, management and coordination, contract administration and management, as well as risk identification, mitigation and management.

Prior to joining the BNZ team, Francisco held various positions of responsibility in companies in the renewable energy sector, including Tecno Solar Systems, COMSA EMTE, SMA Solar Technology and Siconia, later integrated by 3E Technology. His duties included project design, planning, management and supervision; risk assessment, contract review and construction project supervision on site.

Francisco holds a degree in Chemical Engineering (Industrial Engineering) from the University of Cadiz.

Adrián Pérez

Financial Controller

Adrian is the Financial Controller at BNZ. He has more than nine years of experience in the financial sector, five of which were entirely dedicated to managing the accounting and finance of companies in the photovoltaic sector.

Before joining BNZ, Adrian has developed his professional career in the field of financial consulting and in companies such as Grupo La Paz or Plenium Partners, performing audits, managing treasury and controlling stocks and budgets, reporting responsibilities for different geographies.

Adrián holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Huelva and has additional education in economic-financial management, as well as in e-commerce.

Nieves Muñoz

Asset Manager

Nieves Muñoz is Asset Manager at BNZ. With an extensive professional background in the renewable energy sector, Nieves is an expert in managing the portfolio activity of companies in the solar photovoltaic and wind energy sectors.

Prior to joining the BNZ team, Nieves has consolidated her experience managing assets in the renewable energy sector in companies such as Vela Energy, Ra Solar España, Grenergy. During her professional career she has been responsible for the management of more than 500 MW taking into account the portfolios of her previous companies. She has also developed functions related to the development solar and wind projects in Naturgy Renewables and biomethane projects in Enagás GTS.

Nieves holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and a Master in Renewable Energy from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

Ramón Alcalá

Solar Photovoltaic Engineer

Ramón is Solar Photovoltaic Engineer at BNZ. He has almost 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, managing and leading transversally photovoltaic, wind and thermal energy projects as engineering supervisor, head of procurement and responsible for health and safety.

Before joining BNZ, Ramón has held senior positions in companies in the renewable energy, construction and engineering sectors such as Abengoa, Grupo Cobra and Elecnor. At BNZ, he is currently in charge of supervising the engineering of the different photovoltaic projects under construction.

Ramón holds a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICAI), a degree in Optics and Optometry from the European University of Madrid and an Executive MBA from the San Telmo Business School.

Modesto Díaz

Senior Project Manager

Modesto Díaz is a Senior Project Manager at BNZ. He has almost ten years of experience in the renewable sector and has a strong background in the construction monitoring for sites under development, project commissioning and acceptance of large PV projects, mainly in Spain, Portugal, and UK.​

Prior joining BNZ team, Modesto has developed his professional career in DNV as Senior Technical Advisor, where he was responsible for managing high profile Independent Engineering (IE) and Technical Due Diligences (TDD) for more than 15GWp and 300 large scale PV projects located worldwide. Previously, at Quintas Energy, Modesto was in charge of a 300MWp portfolio and responsible for managing, monitoring and optimizing the performance of the assets.

Modesto joins BNZ to provide his solar energy expertise and will manage a 500MWp portfolio under construction located in Portugal.

Modesto holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidad de Sevilla and has a Master of Science in Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems Technology from Universidad Internacional de Andalucía.

Samantha Pellegrino

Financial Modeler

Samantha is Financial Modeller at BNZ. She has over 8 years of experience in the financial sector supporting the valuation and negotiation of transactions, supporting strategic and operational decisions and applying accounting methods to optimise business profitability.

Before joining BNZ, Samantha has worked for some of the world’s leading financial and legal consulting firms such as EY Italy and PwC Spain and Italy. At BNZ, she is currently responsible for building and managing financial models that provide forecasts, ensuring effective financial models and identifying risks and mitigation measures, among others.

Samantha holds a degree in Banking from the University of Messina, completed a course in Private Banking from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and has a course in financial modelling at the Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles (IEB).

Irene Alonso

Revenue Lead

Irene is Revenue Lead at BNZ. She contributes to the team’s efforts with over 18 years of experience in the energy sector, designing and implementing commercial strategies and actively managing PPAs and negotiating energy sales contracts.

Before joining the BNZ team, Irene has worked for renowned companies in the sector such as Red Eléctrica and Iberdrola. At BNZ, she is currently in charge of optimizing BNZ’s commercial strategy, contributing to market research and business development, as well as to the acquisition of potential clients.

Irene holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and a master’s degree in automation engineering and technology from the same university. She also holds a master’s degree in Industrial Economics from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a master’s degree in Energy Business from the Spanish Energy Club and has specialized in Renewable Energies at the Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles (IEB).

Rafael del Río

Project Manager, E&C

Rafael is a Project Manager at BNZ. He has more than 5 years of experience in the renewable energy sector defining strategies to improve EPC contract management, monitoring costs and budgeting, as well as adding value from the project authorisation process to engineering supervision.

Before joining the BNZ team, Rafael has worked for companies in the energy sector such as Plenium Partners, Solarig or Ayesa. At BNZ, he is currently responsible for coordinating and controlling all activities related to the execution of the project: EPC management, financial control and support, management of coordination activities during the construction phase, management of the project schedule and costs, as well as the evolution of the project and compliance with all quality standards.

Rafael holds a degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Seville and has a Master’s degree in Environmental and Energy Management from the Rioja International University (UNIR).

Simone Pagano

Asset Manager

Simone Pagano is Asset Manager at BNZ. He has more than 7 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, managing portfolios of photovoltaic and wind power plants, overseeing O&M activities, as well as managing and mitigating portfolio risks.

Before joining the BNZ team, Simone Pagano has also been an asset manager at companies in the renewable energy sector such as Quintas Energy, as well as at investment and asset management firms such as Exus Management Partners. At BNZ, he currently oversees project management in all its technical, commercial and compliance facets, ensuring meticulous asset monitoring and implements risk management and mitigation strategies.

Simone holds a degree in Energy Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan and a Master of Science in Energy Engineering from the same university.

Joaquín Moreno

Financial Controller

Joaquín Moreno is the Financial Controller of BNZ. As part of his role, he is responsible for preparing and presenting the financial statements, developing budgets and forecasts, and carrying out financial analysis to identify trends and provide relevant information to the business.

Before joining the BNZ team, Joaquín worked as an Assurance Audit Associate at PwC for two and a half years, ensuring that the financial records of companies in the energy sector were a fair and accurate representation of their transactions and assets. He also has experience at Finnovating, where he was responsible for developing strategies for the company’s business meeting planning.

Joaquín holds a degree in Business Administration from CUNEF in Madrid, where he is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Account Auditing.