Head of Grid - Greece

Job Title: Head of Grid - Greece

Department: Grid EMEA

Location: Athens, Greece

About Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’s transition to low carbon energy.

With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. By joining the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ on the world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.

We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place.

What You’ll do (the role)

Summary

This role involves the autonomous management of a diverse and growing team across the full grid/solar lifecycle of the Greek pipeline. You will be required to work closely with the development, construction, and asset management team, using high level communication and problem-solving skills to ensure the successful completion of projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The position requires both technical and commercial knowledge, as well as strategic planning skills and the ability to form strong working relationships. A strong network of contacts, and knowledge of the TSO/DNO/ICPs and government agencies responsible for grid connections is essential to success in this role, as is the necessary expertise and drive to contribute to the growth of our GREECE development and construction pipeline. The preferred candidate should be able to demonstrate solid experience in the design, engineering, and construction of EHV substations and lines connected to the Greek System. To provide technical assistance during project development and ensure the factors influencing and influenced by the grid connection are considered.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Managing the Grid project team with an effective leadership to ensure the work is completed on time and budget and the accomplishment of country/team objectives.
• Advise the Grid team in GREECE, providing assistance during project development by identifying factors  associated to the grid connections.
• Managing timelines and document deliverables, as scheduling and managing deadlines.
• Support in management of construction and procurement, as developing relationships with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Management of the Owners Engineering including directly performing design reviews.
• Visit Lightsource bp construction sites regularly, as well as third-party premises as required.
• Manage and be responsible for the coordination and submission of grid applications in GREECE that include all relevant information required by the TSO/DNO, ensuring they are submitted in a timely manner, and they progress through the TSO/DNO processes without delay.
• Manage the reviewing process of grid connection offers to ensure they meet Lightsource bp requirements and comply with the features needed by the projects.
• Play a key role in the creation and maintenance of framework agreements with ICPs to ensure Lightsource bp has the required delivery capacity at the appropriate commercial terms.
• Support the creation and maintenance of framework agreements with HV equipment suppliers to ensure Lightsource bp has the required delivery capacity at the appropriate commercial terms.
• Contract the engineering/studies/surveys/drawings required to start the design process of the Non-Contestable and Contestable Works with the TSO/DNO/ICPs to secure or advance grid connections works (COD dates).
• Have a strategic role in the development of standardised arrangements for grid connections that reduce installation time and cost while maintaining or improving the performance of the facility design.
• Advise development and project managers proactively with technical assistance through the life of the project.
• Work closely with the GREECE Business Development team to progress and develop strategies to increase the pipeline.
• Responsible for the analysis of the TSO/DNO energy capacity data and regulations to support Lightsource bp in new opportunities (in coordination with Grid Code team).
• Develop, strengthen and maintain contacts with key stakeholders involved in the development, construction, connection, and operation process such as TSO, DNO, ICPs and governmental agencies in all aspects related to the grid connection offer and the implantation of the grid connection facilities.
• Understanding of market behaviour in GREECE including the IPTO Development plans and grid congestion analysis.
• Key Grid interface in the negotiation of grid shared agreement with other developers or entities involved to ensure Lightsource bp requirements are met.
• Introduce and maintain departmental procedures and processes to support: grid connection applications, grid capacity checks, grid connection assessments, grid commissioning, compliance assurance and ICP auditing.
• Perform overall opportunity assessments, identify risks and mitigation actions in Due Diligence processes by Investor and Technical Advisors.
• Work in close cooperation with Business Development team in the identification and evaluation of M&A and Greenfield projects and best Land Rights obtainment.
• Represent grid team in all matters related to the projects in the GREECE pipeline, on risk and mitigation plans for grid connection, grid offer, grid optimization solutions, permitting, construction, costs and schedule of grid connection facilities.
• Work closely with Flexibility team in all aspects related to electricity market services (ancillary services, balancing, constraints, auctions...).
• Support in the process of hybridisation of installations, BESS, WIND, H2, etc.
• Produce and coordinate the preparation of reports to periodically inform management / governance team.

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Strong technical knowledge of GREECE TSO facilities.
• Understanding IPTO grid development plans from key jurisdictions across GREECE.
• Understanding of the grid connection process, grid application process, grid compliance process, grid commissioning process and grid offer negotiations across key jurisdictions in GREECE.
• Direct contacts with key transmission and governmental agencies in the GREECE jurisdictions.
• Understanding of market operations and behaviour in GREECE from a commercial and trading perspective.
• Solid background on grid code and grid connection regulatory compliance.
• Solid background on storage regulatory and connection.
• Solid background on project hybridisation.
• Solid background on project repowering with regard to grid connection.
• Strong technical knowledge of HV (150 & 400kV) connection concept in Greece along with the associated construction and commissioning activities
• Deep knowledge of HV/MV substation and circuit design and construction standards,
• Deep knowledge of HV transmission lines design and construction standards,
• Deep knowledge of HV/MV equipment including HV GIS switchgear, transformers, protections & Control systems (SCADA).
• Experience in substation construction,
• Knowledge of TSO specifications and working methods

Qualifications

• Preferably a degree level qualification associated with electrical power systems and/or electrical engineering.

Complementary qualifications

• Skilled in Energy, Power Systems, Power Transmission, Project Management, Control Engineer, Account& Contract Management, Substations Design, Renewable Energy, Storage and Smart Grid.

Experience

• Proven track record & experienced in a similar role for minimum of 8 years (desirable 10+).

Others

• HV Engineer, Protection & Control Systems, RTU/SCADA Controls, Power Transformer, Cabling, Testing & Commissioning, Grid Connections, Contestable Works, Cable System Design, DNO Design.

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Personal qualities

• A good team player
• Effective communicator
• Proactive and positive work attitude
• Keen and dynamic approach to innovation
• Able to coordinate with multiple internal and external teams
• Able to work independently with minimum supervision
• Strong computing skills 

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are  responsible and promote biodiversity.

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible, and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/career