Senior PPA Originator
Job Title: Senior PPA Originator
Department: APAC Energy Markets
Reporting to: Director – Energy Markets and PPA APAC
Location: Sydney, Australia
About Lightsource bp
Lightsource bp (LSbp) 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 capitalise 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
The APAC Energy Markets team plays a critical role in originating, negotiating, and securing contracts to drive value and manage revenue streams for LSbp’s renewable energy and storage projects and developing strategies to optimize the APAC generation portfolio.
As the Senior PPA Originator, you will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the origination and hedging strategies to support the Australian and New Zealand generation and storage pipeline and portfolio.
You will lead activities for securing offtake arrangements, and other relevant risk management agreements. Your scope will include energy marketing, origination and structuring, and the negotiation of PPAs and other hedge instruments with wholesale participants and corporates.
You will be a senior member of the APAC Energy Markets team with an integral role in managing and supporting the development of originators, and the broader team.
Duties and responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of the origination and hedging strategy for the Australian and New Zealand generation and storage portfolio.
- Secure bankable PPAs, energy storage agreements, financial hedges, and other contractual structures to optimize generation revenues and manage risk.
- Evaluate market conditions, counterparty feedback and outlook to understand market and policy changes, identify and capitalize on new business opportunities in the Australian and New Zealand energy sectors and identify new routes to market.
- Contribute to and inform the analytics activities and team capabilities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including development, structured finance, operations and legal) to ensure alignment of commercial strategies with operational capabilities, in addition to maximizing financing options for new projects.
- Develop and manage strong commercial relationships with counterparties and other key stakeholders across the sector to stay informed of customer needs, support profitable origination activities and position the Lightsourcebp brand prominently in the market.
- Monitor and report on portfolio hedge performance, identifying areas for improvement and strategic adjustments.
- Contribute to the management and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, growth and accountability.
Who we’re looking for
Knowledge
- Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in the National Electricity Market is a pre-requisite, in addition to utility scale renewables experience.
- Significant experience and track record in originating complex energy transactions (including energy storage), structuring and energy (financial) hedging activities, with both a short- and long-term horizon.
- Demonstrated analytical and commercial acumen, with a track record of identifying and evaluating opportunities, risks, and structures to support energy development and portfolio optimisation.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Relevant degree in finance, business, engineering, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
Experience
- Significant experience in the NEM; with experience in the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and/or New Zealand energy market is highly desirable.
- Origination and negotiation of complex energy and storage offtake arrangements.
- Prior experience in managing and developing teams, with a focus on fostering a collaborative environment.
- Demonstrable experience building key client reliant relationships within the energy sector and Corporate PPA environments.
- Previous energy trading or analytics experience is highly desirable.
Why you’ll make a great member of the team
Personal qualities
- A highly motivated individual who can flourish in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and presentation skills. Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally across all levels.
- Commercially driven, capable of leading complex negotiations.
- Present yourself with integrity, credibility and professionalism.
- Willing and able to travel as required.
- Creative thinker who can find solutions, adapt to market developments and find new ways of doing things to drive value.
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 recognised
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension, and other local benefits.
Be inspired
Join an agile, international team working across 15 countries to power the future and positively impact people, communities, ecosystems and biodiversity across the world.
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.