energy efficiency
interview
The Clean Energy Six – Finance Edition: Tamara Bordeaux
The Clean Energy Six, Finance Edition highlights the people working behind the financial and strategic decisions shaping the energy transition. In this series, Skye Shaffer, Associate Recruitment Consultant at Piper Maddox, speaks with professionals across the renewable energy finance ecosystem to explore their career journeys, the projects that have defined them, and the opportunities they see for the future of clean energy. In this edition, we spoke with Tamara Bordeaux, a clean energy finance professional with over nine years of experience spanning financial services and renewable energy. After beginning her career at UBS, Tamara transitioned into the energy sector to pursue work more closely aligned with her passion for combating climate change. She has since built a diverse background across community solar, utility-scale development, and M&A at AES, where she worked on complex transactions and large-scale projects across the U.S. More recently, she expanded her experience into emerging technologies at Blue Energy, where she was part of the commercial team at a nuclear-focused startup, working across origination, development, and financial modeling. Now at Greenvolt Power, Tamara continues to focus on project finance and M&A, bringing a well-rounded perspective across both established and next-generation energy solutions. 1. When did you start your career in renewable energy or clean tech, and why did you get into the industry? I started my career in renewable energy in January 2021. Before that, I was working in wealth management and financial services, but I wanted to pivot into something more aligned with my interests and passions - specifically, fighting climate change. The energy industry offered a strong intersection between finance and impact, and it felt like a space where I could apply my background while contributing to something meaningful. 2. What was a pivotal moment or project that defined your path in this industry? A pivotal moment for me was working on the Belfield project, which at the time was the largest permitted solar and storage project in the U.S., at around 2 gigawatts. AES acquired it from Avantus, and I had the opportunity to work on the transaction as an associate. It was a very large, complex, and long-running deal, and it really opened my eyes to how intricate the M&A side of the renewable energy industry can be. What stood out most was the collaborative nature of the process - working closely with counterparties to solve problems together. It was also the first time I was able to build meaningful relationships with a counterparty, and it showed me how important those relationships are in getting deals done. That combination of complexity, collaboration, and relationship-building really defined my path and interest in this space. 3. What excites you most about working in renewables or clean tech today? There is a very real and growing need for power - especially zero-carbon power - in both the U.S. and globally. Renewables are one of the fastest and most proven ways to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, so it’s an incredibly impactful space to be in. There’s also a significant increase in demand for power driven by technological growth, including AI. What’s unique right now is that we’re still building the physical infrastructure needed to support that demand, while also benefiting from advancements in AI and software ourselves. For example, AI is helping enhance financial modeling and improve efficiency in areas like transaction document review. It feels like we’re in a position where we get the best of both worlds - building critical infrastructure while leveraging cutting-edge tools. 4. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in renewable energy and what did you learn from it? One of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning from traditional renewables - primarily solar and storage - into nuclear, specifically the small modular reactor (SMR) space. While there were transferable skills, nuclear presents a very different set of challenges. In solar and storage, processes are well established and costs continue to come down. With nuclear, particularly new nuclear development, it’s more like rebuilding an industry from the ground up in the U.S. There are challenges around developing supply chains, advancing new technologies, and working on much longer timelines - often into the 2030s. It also requires navigating significant policy and regulatory dependencies. This experience pushed me to think more long-term, approach problems more creatively, and become comfortable working in areas with less precedent. It was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. 5. Looking 5–10 years ahead, where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth in renewable energy? One of the biggest opportunities is improving transmission infrastructure and the interconnection process in the U.S. Upgrading the grid will be critical to enabling more projects to come online efficiently. I also see strong potential in co-located solutions - bringing power generation closer to where it’s consumed, such as near data centers. As demand for energy continues to rise, proximity to load will become increasingly important. Overall, I don’t think it’s about one technology winning out - we’ll need a mix of solar, storage, wind, nuclear, and geothermal to meet demand. The real opportunity lies in how we build, connect, and optimize across all of these. 6. If someone wanted to break into renewable energy finance, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give? Be willing to take on any role to get your foot in the door - even if it means taking a step back in title or seniority. That’s what I did, and I have no regrets. Renewable energy is very much a learn-by-doing industry. While coursework and reading are helpful, the most valuable experience comes from working on real projects. I’d also emphasize the importance of networking. It’s a relatively small industry, and people are generally approachable. Building connections can go a long way in opening doors and helping you navigate your career. Tamara’s career reflects the evolving nature of the clean energy landscape - from established renewable technologies to emerging solutions like nuclear. With experience across large-scale transactions, development, and startup environments, she brings a well-rounded perspective on where the industry is today and where it’s headed. As demand for clean, reliable power continues to grow, her insights highlight both the challenges and the significant opportunities ahead.
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