Project Developer

Project Developer
JOB PURPOSE
The project Developer strategically manages the development of Renewable Energy projects. He oversees the project development compliance of large -scale utility solar PV and wind projects, site identification and screening, land lease negotiations, electrical grid connection capacity and permits licenses.
He manages the technical development and permitting ( Environmental impacts) of new opportunities and projects in the permit stage and sourcing for future greenfield developments that caters also for future Battery storage. Overseeing projects from inception to BID preparation ( Initial Risk Matrix Analysis pre - RFP, PPA compliance and Project due diligence).
The Project Developer will assist the Business Developer with bid preparation in order to ensure compliant bids. As a Project Developer, you will liaise with a raft of stakeholders - landowners, advisors, developers, service operators, suppliers, and local councils. Also , you will work fairly closely with the finance, technical and legal teams.
The Project Developer is a highly commercialized role as such , understanding the energy landscape is a crucial component and analyzing where the opportunities are, and what factors could impact the success of a project.
Key Accountabilities
Key Activities
Site selection

• Performs the following studies to ensure commercial competitive and technical environmental feasible projects:

• Desktop identification and selection of potential sites for the development of a wind or solar energy facility
• Assessment of project's grid access and available grid capacity of the identified potential project(s)
• Reviewing of competitor projects' location, grid connection options and ranking comparison with our projects
• Responsible for deed searches on new farm portions for proposed projects
• Assessment of wind and solar resource using WindPro, Vortex and Solargis or similar (Optional)

Business Development

• Develops relationships and liaise with authorities, regulators and utilities in order to obtain land rights, permitting and license
• Assits with the preparation of budgets to secure the resources necessary to achieve project compliance
• Assist in the performance of risk assessments related to the projects, including real estate risks, permitting and environmental risks and corresponding mitigation strategies
• Assist in the tracking of project developments in the pipeline and of any competitors in the market
• Assist in the conducting of monthly reporting on project development pipeline

Permitting

• Responsible for the application and securing of relevant permits licenses consents and approvals required for projects to be compliant to local regulations and bankable in accordance to Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards
• Responsible for the maintenance, re-applications, renewal and/or extension of permits licenses consents and approvals and liaises for internal payments for the re-applications and renewal where necessary to ensure permits are valid at all times
• Liaises with various departments and external organizations on the status of projects' permits, licenses consents and approvals
• Responsible for the registration of the company as an Interested and Affected party and reviewing details of the new competitor projects being developed that affect/impact projects
• Coordinates the compilation of monthly report on SA greenfield projects

Land Acquisition

• Secures land for project to enable project site development by:

• Identifying potential sites for future projects
• Securing land rights for the projects
• Securing servitude land rights for the projects
• Negotiating and reviewing land lease agreements
• Negotiating amendments and extensions on existing land lease agreements
• Managing landowner relationships
• Managing lease payments

• Managing all other land related items including lease registrations, land rezoning and managing the legal counsel

Geographic Information System (GIS) and Mapping

• Designs and creates project specific maps using Planet GIS, Google Earth, ArcGIS or similar to establish project boundaries for internal and external use
• Manages land survey consultants for project land surveys to be included in the lease agreements with the land owners

Bid Support

• Responsible for the land licensing and permitting bid response sections in order to ensure a complete and compliant bid
• Reviewing of bid requirements and assisting in the coordination of various teams responsibilities and tasks ahead of submission
• Compiling sections of a bid from each department in preparation of bid submission
• Liaises with entities to whom the bid will be submitted for clarifications, queries and requirements

Meteorological Mast Monitoring

• Ensures to date and reliable wind data for wind projects by performing the following:

• Reviewing and loading of daily wind data on each wind site as well as monthly reports on each project's wind speed data
• Daily wind speed data retrieval and reporting across all masts
• Sending daily wind speed data to construction team for projects under construction

Preliminary due diligence

• Conducts the following Internal reviews of projects for potential acquisition:

• Assessment of project's permitting status
• Land rights
• Technical viability
• Project documents
• Comparison with own projects

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
Essential Qualifications:

• An accredited NQF level 7 (Bachelor's Degree/B- Tech Diploma in a related field - viz, Engineering, Legal, Business, Planning, or Environmental Science.
• Advanced Project Management certificate/course

Experience And Skills:

• Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment
• Experience in Contracts management
• Solid experience preferably working in CSP, OCGT, CCGT, coal, renewable PV, biomass or wind
• Working in a performance or process engineering department
• High level of technical ability
• Basic Statistical knowledge
• Experience working with a multinational company would be desirable

Language:
English Language:

• excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Knowledge of Afrikaans and other local South African official language/s is desirable

Specific Knowledge / skills

• Detailed knowledge of energy markets in South Africa;
• Renewable Power technologies including Solar , wind and Batteries;
• Contract negotiation skills (EPC, PPA, SHA, Financing, …);
• Knowledge of project finance mechanics and risk allocation.

Location / travel

• Place of residence: Johannesburg, South Africa;
• Frequent travel in South Africa and some travels internationally for Group seminars and meetings.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adheres to the Company Policies and Procedures
• Behaves in a responsible way
• Lives and uphold Engie's values
• Undertakes any other duties as may be requested within reason

Business Unit: GBU Renewables
Division: REN AMEA - South Africa
Legal Entity: ENGIE Southern Africa (Prioprietary) Limited
Contract Type: Permanent
Job Type: Full - Time
Professional Experience: Skilled ( >3 experience
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree