SA - Principal Engineer (Grid)

Company Overview:

Mainstream is a global developer of utility scale wind and solar assets operating across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.  Our core business is to develop, build and operate renewable energy plants thereby helping to build a sustainable future – globally and locally.

Mainstream Renewable Power South Africa has been awarded a total of 2.1 gigawatts of wind and solar projects under the Government’s renewable energy procurement programme since the first round in 2011.

In Chile, Mainstream owns 1.3GW of fully contracted wind and solar projects in operation, in construction or at late-stage development, due to its unprecedented success in government auctions. In Asia, the company is developing large-scale projects in Vietnam and the Philippines.

In 2021, Mainstream completed a process to find an equity partner to help finance the development and construction of its wind and solar asset pipeline. Our partnership with Aker Horizons enables the Company to strive towards our ambitious targets of securing 5.5 GWs of renewable assets to FC and be IPO ready by 2025. Aker Horizons develops green energy and green industry to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. The company is active in renewable energy, carbon capture and hydrogen and develops industrial-scale decarbonization projects. In 2022, an equity partnership with Mitsui strengthened our position and continued our growth trajectory across the world.

Mainstream has raised more than €3.0bn in project finance to date and employs over 700+ staff across 11 countries.

Summary of Role:

As Principal Grid Engineer you will be accountable for managing the Grid Section and the optimal functionality and availability of all aspects pertaining to the Renewable Energy Grid Code (SAREGC V3.0) and the operational parameters as specified in the Distribution Customer Use Of System Agreement. (DCUOSA).  This function will align with the terms of the service level agreement entered into with MAMSA. Further, you will assist Development in identifying grid connection opportunities by advising on grid capability and performing analysis to prove compliance.

What you will do:

Grid Compliance

• Engage with OEM’s to determine specifications of Plant.
• Approve technical content of any changes made by OEM’s.
• Prepare technical specifications of new additions.
• Prepare all documentation for RETEC submission.
• Liaise with RETEC and the SBO with respect to statutory evaluations.
• Compile, submit, present and manage all aspects relating to exemption requests
• Evaluate new products for application and integration based on parameters such as functionality, integrity and performance.
• Perform regular tests and assessments to ensure that the equipment operates as per design.
• Ensure the facility remains compliant to any changes in the Grid Codes.
• Analyse the installed equipment to ensure it stays aligned with modern technologies and implement changes where necessary.
• Assist with the regular review of contracts and service agreements.
• Support the Construction Team on Utility interactions
• Support the Construction Team with grid connection and energisation.
• Audit all Handover documentation.
• Assist the department with NERSA audits.

Investigations

• Lead investigations into causes of non-compliance.
• Determine and implement applicable mitigation strategies.
• Develop strategies to mitigate recurring problems and enhance safety.
• Compile reports and training material where required.
• Compile discipline-specific technical instructions and bulletins for field implementation to mitigate risks of developed technologies
• Mentoring the development of solutions to solve problems.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance to safety and specification standards.

Performance and Data

• Monitor system performance as per the required standards.
• Make recommendations and implement changes to enhance performance monitoring.
• Investigate causes of poor performance and recommend improvement strategies.
• Ensure that regular monitoring and reporting is carried out in line with the applicable Agreements and Grid Codes.
• Perform Power Curve testing to ensure that the facility is performing as per design.
• Ensure all data systems are functional and backed up.
• Perform regular Quality of Supply and Grid Code Compliance audits.
• Ensure that the Metering data is available, accurate and downloaded monthly for billing purposes.
• Contribute to the compilation of reports.
• Submit monthly Generation Reports to NERSA.

What we require:

• An honours degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

• 10 Years of experience in either Network Design, Network Operations or other related Utility experience.

• Good knowledge of the Renewable Energy and related Grid Codes.

• Ability to program and operate DigSilent Simulation Software.

• Be flexible in terms of working and travel arrangements.

• Regular national travel and international travel will be required as part of the job (driving licence Code B essential, no criminal record or past infringements, no previous Visa rejections).

• Have excellent communication, writing and people skills.

• Be comfortable to both host and partake in technical Engineering meetings and to give presentations to the rest of the company.

• Extensive use of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows.

• Fluent in the English language (written and spoken).

• Technical Leadership

  • Integrate the grid department into the business
  • Manage the Grid Section and all related Human Resource aspects.
  • Assume a functional leading role on applicable technologies for all facilities.
  • Assume a key role in all technical interaction with external stakeholders. (Eskom / NERSA / IPPO etc.)
  • Develop the technical competency of external consulting engineers and operators on site.
  • Identify skills and training requirements and gaps based on existing and emerging technology developments.
  • Assess applicable technical training material for suitability for use.
  • Transfer skills and mentoring new staff.

Preference will be given to Candidates that have the following Experience:

• Understanding of wind turbine/solar PV technologies
• Knowledge of wind farm/solar farm design.
• Knowledge of the national HSE and Electrical Standards of South Africa.
• Knowledge of Utility Connections and protection.
• Knowledge of other applicable Grid Codes.
• Knowledge of engineering software (AutoCAD, GIS, dynamic simulation software)

What we offer:

We offer you the opportunity to work in a dynamic and entrepreneurial organisation, to be part of a diverse workplace with regards to gender, age and cultural background in the most exciting industry in the world today. You will receive a very competitive total benefits package including an excellent base salary, bonus scheme and share options.

Career development

• Excellent training (an average 54 hours a year)
• Secondment and relocation opportunities
• Career progression (16% promotions across the Group in 2021)
• Self-paced online learning portal for micro courses across a range of functional and inter personal skills

Shared financial success

• A competitive, industry benchmarked and cost-of-living linked salary, reviewed annually
• Annual bonus
• Share options
• Salary contribution to your pension fund

Work/life balance

• WFH in a hybrid working arrangement
• Generous annual leave, plus a community or charity work day each year
• Paid maternity, parental, adoptive and bereavement leave
• Parental transitional coaching
• Allowance for WFH set up

True diversity & inclusion

• Equal opportunity targets
• GWEC Women in Wind and Mainstream Women in Renewables programmes
• You can be you, whatever your gender, colour or sexual orientation

Care for health & wellbeing

• Generous health insurance subsidy
• Income protection insurance
• Life cover
• Free Employee Assistance Program

Keywords

Principal EngineerGrid ComplianceInvestigationsPerformance and DataTechnical Leadership