Senior Grid Engineer

About the role

ACCIONA Energía, a 100% renewable energy company, is looking for a Senior Grid Engineer in South Africa. The role covers the investment decision phase and the construction phase of renewable power projects, focusing on grid connection, energization and commissioning (COD) while managing curtailment risks and grid code compliance.

Key responsibilities

• Investment phase: develop technical specifications for congestion analysis studies; evaluate, hire and manage power system consultants; carry out and review congestion analysis, including power flow (N and N-1) and short-circuit studies.
• Review Eskom information such as Cost Estimation Letters and budget quotes, and analyse the South African Grid Code and connection process to identify risks and ensure on-time energization and COD.
• Participate in the design of inverters, wind turbines and connection equipment, including reactive power compensation, to ensure grid code compliance.
• Construction phase: negotiate WTG/inverter and SCADA specifications with suppliers; review WTG/inverter and PPC models from OEMs and run internal simulations to prove grid code compliance.
• Manage and review consultant studies for energization approval and grid code processes for COD, working closely with OEMs.
• Coordinate with Business Development, Power Marketing, Engineering, Planning and Resource departments, and ensure compliance with ACCIONA's health, safety and environmental requirements and policies.

Required profile

• BSc in Electrical Engineering; MEng advantageous.
• Professional Engineer (PrEng) registration with ECSA.
• Experience in negotiating grid connection agreements, performing and reviewing grid feasibility studies, and in interconnection processes (cost estimate letters, budget quote process).
• Experience with studies used to energize and obtain COD in South Africa, and with local consultants and stakeholders such as Eskom, RETEC and OEMs.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills, able to work independently and in a team; valid driver's licence; ability to travel within South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and abroad.

Required skills

• Power Factory and PSCAD experience.
• Understanding of South African Grid Codes, regulations and standards for renewable energy projects.
• Knowledge of equivalent codes in the sub-Saharan region and of power systems and grid studies for utility-scale renewables.