Hybrid Plant Manager(Solar & BESS)

Hybrid Plant Manager – Renewable Energy (Hybrid Solar PV & BESS)

Location: Near Upington, Northern Cape (Site-Based)

Position Type: Permanent

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Hybrid Plant Manager to lead the operations and maintenance of a utility-scale hybrid renewable energy facility comprising a utility scale Solar PV plant and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the plant while overseeing outsourced O&M contractors, driving operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance and maximising long-term asset performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Operations & Maintenance of a utility-scale Solar PV and BESS facility.
• Oversee outsourced O&M contractors to ensure contractual compliance and industry best practice.
• Ensure safe, efficient and reliable plant performance in line with operational, technical and commercial requirements.
• Develop and implement long-term asset health, maintenance and reliability strategies.
• Manage planned and unplanned maintenance activities in accordance with OEM recommendations.
• Oversee high-voltage and medium-voltage operating procedures and plant safety regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety, Environmental and statutory requirements.
• Manage site outages, daily operations and maintenance activities.
• Administer plant documentation, reporting, compliance and quality management systems.
• Manage CMMS, spare parts inventory and warranty processes.
• Coordinate specialist contractors for electrical, civil, environmental and waste management services.
• Monitor plant KPIs including availability, MTTR, MTBF, MTTD and response times.
• Prepare operational reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage site access, work permits and contractor performance.
• Build and lead a high-performing site team while supporting staff development and competency.
• Foster positive relationships with landowners and key project stakeholders.
• Support project commissioning, performance testing and handover into commercial operation.
• Accept legal appointments in accordance with the General Machinery Regulations (GMR) where required.

Requirements

• National Diploma (NQF 6) in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field will be advantageous.
• Minimum 10 years’ technical experience within the energy sector.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in renewable energy operations and maintenance.
• Utility-scale Solar PV and/or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) experience highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of substations, HV/MV electrical systems and overhead line infrastructure.
• Extensive understanding of renewable energy O&M best practices.
• Experience managing contractors and outsourced maintenance teams.
• Experience as a GMR 2.1 Appointee will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of SCADA, Solar PV systems and BESS technologies will be beneficial.
• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Strong Microsoft Office 365 skills.
• Valid driver's licence.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent electrical fault-finding and technical troubleshooting ability.
• Strong planning, organisational and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High attention to safety, compliance and operational excellence.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong reporting, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.

If you are an experienced renewable energy operations professional with a passion for leading utility-scale clean energy assets, we would like to hear from you.

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