Lead Solar Engineer

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BBBH44727
Negotiable
Cape Town, Western Cape

Lead Solar Engineer

General Description / Job Purpose:

The Lead Solar Energy Engineer manages the engineering aspects of our client's solar Projects during the development, transactions, execution and operation phases of projects.

Responsibilities:

  • Managing of the engineering activities of the engineering department in relation to solar projects, aligned with the Head of Engineering and Commissioning.
  • Management of electrical engineers, junior electrical engineers and performance engineers for all activities relating to solar projects.
  • Management of any external electrical engineering consultants working on solar projects.
  • Management of Solar Plant Control & Instrumentation and SCADA Engineering in alignment with the lead electrical engineer.
  • Keep abreast of market developments, trends and prices of solar technologies including PV modules, inverters and trackers.
  • Technical evaluation of private off-taker or government RFP documents and PPAs relating to solar projects and producing bid deliverables.
  • The compilation of concept / FEED level solar farm designs (layouts, selection of key equipment, solar array building blocks etc.) at Development and Transaction phases of projects for the purposes of achieving favourable levelized cost of energy.
  • The compilation of internal Forecast Energy Sales Reports (FESR) for solar projects and the management of external solar energy yield consultants to produce bankable FESRs and, where required, independent review reports (FESIRs).
  • The compilation of CAPEX and OPEX cost estimates for financial model purposes for Solar Projects.
  • The compilation of technical solar and electrical specifications and the compilation of RFP / RFQ documents (drawings, specifications, returnable documents) for solar and electrical EPC Contractors and Equipment Suppliers.
  • Technical evaluation and negotiations with EPC / Solar / Electrical contractors, equipment suppliers and O&M Contractors.
  • The review and acceptance of detailed AFC solar and electrical designs produced by external consultants / contractors
  • Support to Project Engineers during execution phase of projects
  • Technical support to Project Managers, Construction Managers, Site Supervisors and Commissioning Managers for site activities during execution phase of projects
  • Ensuring that the designs and installations meet the our client's requirements and all the relevant safety regulations.
  • Assistance to electrical site supervisors and construction managers for site electrical and solar activities
  • The review and acceptance of EPC Contractor's detailed PV designs and specifications.
  • Supervision and coordination of WTG performance warranty testing on behalf of our client, particularly power curve and acoustic emissions
  • Supervision and coordination of solar performance testing on behalf of our client.
  • Management of Solar Grid Code Compliance Requirements
  • The overarching responsibility of all our client's engineering team members is to do everything in their power, working collaboratively with other members of the engineering team and with the Development, Transactions, ESG, PPCM and Asset Management departments, to win projects, achieve financial close for the projects and execute the projects to achieve COD within budget and within the required timelines


Minimum Educational Qualifications:

  • BSc Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering or National Diploma (NDip) Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
  • Pr Eng or Pr Tech or equivalent chartered engineer qualification


Minimum Previous Experience:

  • 10 years general experience in solar projects
  • 5 years solar design experience
  • 5 years forecast energy production modelling experience
  • 3 years solar project Construction, Project Management or Owner's Engineer experience


Essential skills:

  • PVSyst and any other relevant production modelling software
  • Expert knowledge of solar technologies including PV modules, Inverters and Trackers
  • AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Office literate


Other preferred / advantageous skills:

  • Knowledge of engineering and construction contracts
  • Project Management
  • H&S experience and training
  • Understanding of electrical distribution and transmission engineering
  • Understanding of civil engineering
  • Understanding of battery technology
  • DigSilent


Languages

  • English (Read, write & speak)

About Petroplan

Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual.

Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines.

In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual.

Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.


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Senior Development Engineer

SAVE
Negotiable

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Cape Town or Johannesburg

Petroplan are recruiting for a Senior Development Engineer with experience in Battery Energy Storage (BESS) to join a major IPP with a huge pipeline of projects across the African continent.

The role can be based out of Cape Town or Johannesburg.

About the role:

  • You will work closely with project / business development team to develop energy projects across Africa.
  • The candidate will work across a range of renewable energy technologies and projects with a focus on energy storage systems primarily in the form of electrochemical storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries (BESS).
  • The development of BESS projects in Africa is in its infancy and this is an exciting opportunity to join an Africa focused IPP in developing and rolling out its BESS strategy.
  • The purpose of the role is to provide expertise to support both standalone and hybrid storage/renewable energy projects.
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  • The role requires travel extensively across Africa and often to remote greenfield and construction sites.

Main Responsibilities

* Energy storage system sizing and system engineering design
* Working with the business development project teams to manage all technical project inputs
* Manage the optimisation of project sites and technology
* Assessment and mitigation of project risks
* Use of, or leading others in the use of modelling tools such as HOMER and or WAsP, WindPro, PVSyst, CAD and GIS
* Management, interpretation and analysis of data from operational BESS plants, identifying opportunities for optimisation
* Defining and managing modelling simulations related to energy storage projects to determine optimal solutions for both seller and offtaker
* Drafting of energy storage technical specifications and employer's requirements
* Undertake due diligence processes including site visits and assessments
* Selection and management of third-party technical advisors and experts
* Development of accurate cost and yield estimates for use in financial models
* Carry out LCOE type assessments
* Interpretation of project documents (grid codes, PPA, JDA, GSA, MOU, ESIA etc) and incorporation of requirements therein into contractors' documents (primarily Battery Supply Agreements, Balance of Plant contracts or Turnkey EPC, LTSA and O&M Contracts)
* Management of site technical investigations including, inter alia, ground investigations, transport studies, grid integration assessments and other key studies required for the implementation and feasibility of the projects,
* Manage contractor tendering and negotiation processes
* Manage Lender's and Owner's Engineers and the associated relationships, communication and information flow,
* Management of project development and construction schedules
* Participate in planning and selection of resourcing for construction management staff
* Monitoring of project construction, testing and commissioning activities
* Maintaining strong interfaces with all project disciplines including legal, E&S, finance and HR.

Experience/Qualifications:

* Engineering degree or significant technical training or experience
* Significant experience in the energy industry with high exposure to developing and contracting battery energy storage technologies either as a technical advisor, development engineer, developer, EPC, or OEM
* Understanding of utility-scale battery chemistries and key performance indicators
* Understanding of utility-scale energy storage balance of plant technology
* Knowledge of safety relating to energy storage and technological best practices
* Understanding of utility-scale energy storage use cases
* Understanding of BESS prices, market pressures and optimisation considerations
* Experience in renewable project design and optimisation
* Experienced in developing and negotiating contracts including offtake agreements (e.g., Tolling or PPA), construction contracts, grid connection agreements
* Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Lender's, Owner's Engineers, Lender's Engineer and contractors
* Proficient in Microsoft Office suite

About Petroplan

Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual.

Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines.

In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual.

Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.

Construction Manager

SAVE
Negotiable

Construction Manager - Wind Farm Projects
Middleburg, Johannesburg

Petroplan are pleased to be recruiting for a Construction Manager for a Wind farm project near Middleburg.

2-year Contract
Location: near Middleburg, SA
Reporting line: Cluster project manager

The successful candidate will manage renewable construction contracts on-site, liaising with the Cluster Project Manager, client, sub-contractors, landowners and other affected parties, coordinating all aspects of the works so that the project is completed in line with the EPC contract requirements, within budget and on time.
Have a commercial understanding of the project, advising and implementing cost savings at all times, and represent the company in a professional and proactive manner in all dealings with those associated with, and affected by, the project.
Responsibilities

  • Control and implementation of all legal and site specific S.H.E. policies. This includes safety registers, equipment registers, NOSA requirements, incident reporting, disciplinary hearings, adjudication of skills and competency of manpower utilized, monthly (reportable) safety audits etc. .
  • Daily reporting, via Daily Diaries, to the project manager and client, of the previous days progress
  • Compiling of all statistics required by the client i.e. project percentage complete, manpower and equipment (present / projected) statistics etc.
  • Supporting the site engineers with compliance to drawing detail, quality of work and methods utilized by subcontractors
  • Monitoring of all site generated expenditure
  • Fault finding, rectification procedures and identification of any out of scope material / manufactured items etc.
  • Quantifying any sub-contractor costs linked to claims; Qualifying / quantifying the milestone invoicing to the client
  • Communicate effectively at all times with the client, client's representative, project manager, project engineers, subcontractor personnel, local authorities, residents and all persons affected by the project, representing the company with professionalism, integrity and honesty.
  • Maintain accurate and up to date records for site attendance, site induction, tool box talks, accidents, goods received, weekly site records, site safety inspections, plant register records, scaffold report records and all staff related forms / administration.
  • Responsible for preparing and managing the budget, control and being responsible for the budget.
  • Supplier selection, subcontractor contract negotiation, subcontractor management and control, subcontract issues handling, schedule confirmation, payment review and process confirmation.


Requirements

  • Relevant Degree (Engineering Management)
  • Extremely organized and efficient individual
  • Work well under pressure and have impressive stress management.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Proclivity for catching errors and enacting appropriate changes
  • Excellent analytical ability
  • Industry specific experience
  • Clear Criminal record

About Petroplan

Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual.

Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines.

In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual.

Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.