Grid Connection Expert

We are EDP a global energy company present in around 29 markets with a particular emphasis on renewable energies. With more than 45 years of experience we have been consolidating a relevant presence on the world energy scene based on the commitment to be all-green by 2030 leading the energy transition. With more than 13000 employees around the world we are committed to using our energy and heart to drive a better tomorrow.

The Grid Connection Expert leads all grid connection activities for large-scale solar wind and battery energy storage projects across the UK serving as the primary technical and commercial interface with key counter parties including the National Electricity System Operator (NESO) Transmission Owners (TOs) and Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). Covering the full project lifecycle from origination through development to delivery the role secures robust compliant connection solutions that optimise grid costs connection timing and long-term operability while ensuring full adherence to the latest grid policies Grid Code requirements and technical standards.

• Lead the grid screening process for greenfield origination across the GB.
• Develop and continuously refine the grid search strategy to align with EDPRs business development and growth objectives leveraging publicly available datasets from NESO DNOs Ofgem DESNZ and other regulatory sources.
• Collaborate closely with the GIS team to standardise automate and integrate public datasets into interactive tools capacity heatmaps and dashboards that accelerate and streamline the origination screening workflow.
• Own the end-to-end grid connection offer process from initial engagement through to acceptance and beyond including chairing grid surgeries and pre-application meetings and leading the preparation coordination and submission of budget estimates formal applications and modification applications.
• Perform rigorous technical and commercial due diligence on all connection offers; robustly challenge constraints assumptions and costs proposed by NGESO and DNOs; negotiate the most advantageous connection scope programme liabilities securities and commercial terms; and manage post-acceptance queue management milestones and DNO milestone payments.
• Serve as EDPRs primary point of contact and relationship owner for all grid counter parties (NESO DNOs TOs and ENA) building and maintaining proactive high-trust relationships at all levels.
• Own Grid Code and Distribution Code compliance processes; provide technical guidance to Engineering Construction and Procurement teams on applicable standards and interface requirements; and critically review and sign off third-party reports on grid compliance simulations test procedures and evidence packages (e.g. DRC and PGMD) for NGESO and DNO submissions.
• Coordinate grid-related integration scopes across BESS optimise rs PPA off takers BOP contractors and EPC suppliers to ensure seamless technical and commercial alignment at the grid interface.
• Lead the Connections Reform process for the existing portfolio and provide strategic guidance and continuously updated intelligence on the enduring Gate 2 / allocation-window process for newly originated projects.
• Organise and lead regular grid update meetings technical working groups and coordination calls for internal stakeholders (Origination & M&A Development Engineering and Construction Regulatory).
• Represent EDPR in relevant industry forums ENA working groups NGESO stakeholder events and regulatory consultations as required.

Employment type:

Full time

Work site:
Hybrid Model

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering Power Systems Engineering Renewable Energy Systems or a closely related discipline;
  Chartered Engineer status (CEng) is highly advantageous.
• 6 to 10 years of proven experience in GB grid connections for utility-scale renewable energy or BESS projects (solar onshore wind offshore wind or battery storage) gained either on the developer / IPP side or within NESO / DNO / TO organisations.
• Strong understanding of the critical path for developing financing and delivering renewable energy projects in the GB market.
• In-depth knowledge of the GB energy regulatory framework and key energy transition policies; deep current expertise in the GB Connections Reform (TMO4) process including Gate 2 transition rules first-ready first-needed / first-connected criteria queue management milestones and the enduring Gate 2 / allocation-window regime.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Grid Code Distribution Code EREC / 2 G5 / 5 the G81 series and related engineering recommendations.
• Experience in managing external grid consultants and critically reviewing engineering and compliance studies (load flow dynamic stability fault-level harmonics rapid voltage change flicker curtailment assessments etc.).
• Proficiency in working with public grid datasets (NESO TEC Register DNO LTDS capacity heatmaps Embedded Capacity Register (ECR) TO / DNO RIIO business plans);
  Python…