Project Development Manager - Solar Farms

About Us:

Sungrow Renewables is ranked first in the world among PV power plant developers; The business covers Asia, South America, Australia, Europe, etc., with a total of 5.6GW new energy projects developed overseas, and more than 10 subsidiaries have been established around the world to carry out local business. Sungrow Power Australia branch established in 2019, focusing on solar farm investment, development and operation.

Position Name

Solar Project Deveplement Manager 

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• feasibility stage 

1. screening and short listing of potential sites that are of great resource and of strategic value. Initial contact with landholders and subsequent negotiations to secure project sites suitable for development;
2. performing due diligence including conducting research and analysis on the technical specifications of the project to establish its feasibility, including resource and site assessment, and grid connection visibility, forming the preliminary design concept, identification of connection options and other aspects to determine feasibility of the projects; 
3. Securing and/or maintaining land rights for the Project and associated transmission infrastructure; seeking amendments to existing land agreements as necessary to incorporate revisions to the concept design and layout; building and managing relationships with landowners, neighbours and the local community

• permitting stage

1. overseeing and guiding external advisors who will conduct environmental impact and risk assessments required to obtain development approval, establish and participate in community consultation programs, interact with landowners, Council, and other relevant stakeholders; 
2. Obtaining, amending and achieving compliance with Development Approvals and other key permits for both the Project and associated transmission infrastructure (including working with consultants to identify and pursue optimal planning pathways, coordinating site studies and surveys, environmental and heritage management, implementing subdivisions and leases through Reconfiguring a Lot process, etc.); managing key stakeholders including Council, local, State and/or Federal Government departments agencies

• connection study stage

1.  supported by the inhouse technical engineers, interacting with grid connection consultants who will conduct detailed studies of the project and with the electricity network. 
2. Overseeing the connection application, Generator Performance Standard approval, power system modelling with TNSP, AEMO and internal/external consultants; oversee the execution of the transmission connection agreement

• others:

1. Working with the Structured Finance team to support due diligence and bankability studies for financing and/or offtake, including but not limited to PPA negotiations;
2. Identification, assessment and mitigation of risks, identification of risks likely to emerge during project execution and development of appropriate contingency provisions;
3. Work closely with HQ functions to acquire appropriate support for our business growth in Australia;
4. Representing the company by participating in including industry conferences, forums, workshops and meetings, involving various third parties including other developers, suppliers, network service providers, regulators and Government authorities.

Qualifications & essential skills:

• Three years or longer professional experience working in renewable energy sector project development (solar or wind)
• Project development approval and land access experience on greenfield projects
• Project contracting experience, development, implementation of contracting strategies, use of various contracting models and methods
• Must have previous experience in undertaking connection approvals for inverter-based generation such as wind/ solar, experience in working with TNSP’s and AEMO
• Must have working knowledge of the current NEM grid constraints and issues
• Effective communicator with a wide range of stakeholders
• Previous preparation and presentation of project investment cases
• Adaptability and capability to take on new responsibilities as part of a small team
• Demonstrated stakeholder management capabilities
• Relevant academic qualification (e.g. electric or equivalent)
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• Eligibility to live and work in Australia  
• Proven drive to deliver within time and budget
• Attention to detail and commitment to deliver quality outputs
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• Strong drive and ambition to drive multiple projects through the early-stage project life cycle
• Experience dealing directly with landholders