Head of Power
Location: Green Point, Cape Town.
Reporting to: Managing Director
Employment Type: Full time / Permanent
About our client
Founded in 2005, our client is a globally recognized renewable energy company headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, fully owned by the original founder with operations spanning seven countries across four continents.
The group delivers integrated sustainable solutions across Solar PV, Green Hydrogen, its derivatives, and Battery Energy Storage Systems.
They have invested over R4 billion in South Africa and commissioned more than 500 MWp of Solar PV capacity globally. In parallel, they have secured a strategic land portfolio exceeding 30,000 hectares to underpin the development of large-scale renewable energy and green fuel projects.
Over the past four years, they have expanded its focus into Green Hydrogen and downstream fuels, with a particular emphasis on eSAF (electro-sustainable aviation fuel). These projects are being developed to meet RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) compliance requirements for both the EU and UK markets, positioning the group at the forefront of the energy transition in hardto- abate sectors.
The flagship project is located on a 73 -hecter site in Hopefield, Western Cape, South Africa, on 6,000 ha fully integrated Hydrogen Park fully owned by our client. The Project will scale to 140,000 tonnes per annum of eSAF and require in excess of 1.5 GW of exclusively renewable power at full capacity.
Phase 1 will, commence on site, in September 2026 and produce 35,000 tonnes per annum of eSAF, which will require 400MW+ of RE power.
Underpinned by an experienced executive team, their core objective is to deliver globally competitive, low-cost green energy solutions. As the world accelerates toward decarbonisation, the group remains focused on developing scalable, commercially viable projects that support the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
About the role
We are seeking a proven leader to lead a major power solution for our Global First, RE to eSAF power production and processing plant. The Head of Power will be responsible for developing and delivering the Company's power strategy across its renewable energy portfolio, ensuring secure, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable power supply for their green Hydrogen and eFuel production facilities.
The role requires strategic leadership over power planning, renewable energy procurement, grid integration, commercial power agreements, and electrical infrastructure development and power trading. The successful candidate will optimise the renewable energy mix—including Solar PV, Wind, Phelan Green Group Ltd - 1700969
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), wheeled power and grid supply, and power excess sales—to achieve the lowest possible Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) while ensuring reliable power availability for continuous plant operations.
Working closely with Engineering, Project Development, Commercial, Hydrogen, eFuels, Finance and Legal teams, the Head of Power will oversee the successful integration of the renewable power supply into the Processing Plant.
Key responsibilities
1. Power Planning & Strategy
• Develop and implement the overall power supply strategy for the Hopefield Project.
• Optimise the renewable energy mix (Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), wheeled power and grid supply) to achieve the lowest Levelised Cost of Energy
(LCOE).
• Lead long-term power resource assessments and energy yield studies.
• Conduct demand forecasting, plant load profiling and generation modelling.
• Lead transmission planning and grid interconnection studies.
• Ensure alignment between renewable generation, storage systems and electrolyser demand.
• Develop long-term power expansion strategies for future project phases.
• Drive innovation in renewable energy technologies and energy optimisation.
2. Power Procurement & Commercial Management
• Develop and execute the Company's renewable energy procurement and sales strategy.
• Structure, negotiate and finalise:
o Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
o Power Sale Agreements (PSAs)
o Eskom wheeling agreements
o Grid connection agreements
o Transmission access agreements
o Third-party renewable energy supply agreements
o Power Trading Agreements
• Manage commercial relationships with:
o Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
o EPC Contractors
o Utilities
o Energy traders
o Transmission operators
• Ensure competitive pricing and commercially favourable contract terms.
• Develop commercial frameworks that appropriately allocate technical and commercial risks.
• Support project financing through bankable energy supply agreements.
• Support grid integration and electrical infrastructure requirements.
4. Project Interface & Execution
• Provide strategic oversight of all power-related workstreams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure seamless integration between renewable energy generation and hydrogen production facilities.
• Coordinate energy dispatch, storage and consumption profiles.
• Work closely with Engineering, Hydrogen and eFuel teams to optimise operational performance.
• Support EPC contractors during design, construction and commissioning.
• Resolve complex technical and commercial issues affecting power delivery.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) and energisation activities.
5. Regulatory, Legal & Financial Oversight
• Ensure compliance with all applicable South African energy legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee compliance with:
o NERSA
o Eskom
o Local Municipalities
o Grid Code
o Environmental legislation
• Lead due diligence on:
o Energy economics
o Tariff structures
o Wheeling arrangements
o Energy trading mechanisms
• Ensure all agreements meet international project finance requirements, including:
o IFC Standards
o Export Credit Agency (ECA) requirements
o EU Global Gateway criteria
• Manage interfaces with lenders, legal advisors, government agencies and regulators.
• Oversee permitting, licensing and environmental approvals for power assets.
6. Digital Energy Management & Performance Optimisation
• Lead the development of an advanced Digital Energy Management Systems
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled monitoring and predictive analytics.
• Optimise generation dispatch and battery operation.
• Lead the development of a world class Monitoring and Control systems for:
o Cost of power
o Renewable energy penetration
o Curtailment risk
o Grid reliability
o Asset performance
• Develop dashboards and executive reporting for key energy performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
7. Leadership & Stakeholder Management
• Recruit an experienced Power Team
• Lead and mentor the Power team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Establish standards and best practices across the Power Team.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Engineering, Commercial, Finance, Hydrogen, eFuels, Construction and Operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with utilities, regulators, technology providers, consultants and investors.
• Represent the Company at industry forums and technical working groups.
• Promote innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering or a related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems or Business Administration (MBA) will be advantageous.
• Professional registration with ECSA (Pr. Eng.) or an equivalent recognised engineering body is preferred.
Experience
• Minimum 15 years' experience in power generation, power trading idealy with renewable energy.
• At least 10 years' experience in utility-scale renewable energy projects.
• Demonstrated experience with Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and grid integration.
• Extensive experience negotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), wheeling arrangements and grid connection agreements.
• Experience working with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), utilities, EPC contractors and energy traders.
• Strong understanding of project finance and bankability requirements.
• Experience supporting large capital infrastructure projects from development through commissioning.
• International renewable energy experience will be advantageous.
Technical Knowledge
The successful candidate should possess strong knowledge of:
• Utility-scale Solar PV
• Wind Energy
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Electrical transmission and distribution systems
• High Voltage substations
• Grid integration and compliance
• Power system modelling
• Load flow and stability analysis
• SCADA and Energy Management Systems
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
• Wheeling agreements
• Renewable energy regulations
• Project finance and energy economics
• Eskom Grid Code
• NERSA regulations
• Hydrogen and eFuel energy integration (advantageous)