About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008, Mulilo has grown into one of the leading Independent Power Producers (IPP) in Southern Africa. Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the world’s leading private equity investor in renewable energy assets, through its New Markets Fund I. Mulilo has concluded numerous PPA’s in both the Department of Mineral Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and with several large corporate energy users. Mulilo currently operates 450MW of wind and solar PV projects and has a further 500MW of projects under financial close. Having adopted a strategy that aligns with the company’s long-term vision, Mulilo has accumulated a pipeline of projects exceeding 25GW, and is now positioned as a key player in the renewable energy sector.

Mulilo places strong emphasis on its human capital and prides itself in providing a world class working environment for all its employees, thereby placing huge value on career progression and personal growth.

Mulilo is guided by strong ethical principles and adheres to its environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)

Founded in 2012, CIP is the world’s largest dedicated renewable energy fund manager and a global leader in offshore wind. CIP currently manages over 20 billion Euro’s, with a target of having 100 billion Euros under management by 2030. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

About this role

This is a skilled position which entails responsibility for maximising stakeholder value of the assets by effectively managing the O&M of the operational projects. This includes management of the third-party O&M contractors, monitoring performance of the facilities and suggesting and overseeing implementation of technical optimisation initiatives.

Duties and responsibilities

• Monitor and drive project operational performance by working closely with our O&M contractors to ensure plants exceeds the base case P50 production expected.
• Ensure compliance with key project agreements (PPAs, IAs, Lease, Finance, O&M, etc.).
• Produce monthly/quarterly/annual management and plant performance reports.
• Project manage plant retrofits/upgrades/optimizations to improve overall plant performance.
• Ensure work performed by O&M contractor, sub-contractors and other 3rd parties complies with technical requirements, contractual procedures, and regulatory standards governing the projects.
• Review plans and specifications provided by O&M to confirm adherence to contract.
• Review and approve change orders, submit applications, etc.
• To the extent necessary, review weekly progress reports to identify issues and take corrective action to remedy issues.
• Develop and maintain O&M strategies and spares holding strategies to ensure maximum availability of the facilities.

General O&M Tasks

• Oversee implementation of the quality management system
• Ensure that monthly/quarterly/annual management and plant performance reports are provided by O&M team timeously.
• Ensure that each plant is operated in compliance with requirements of Project Documentation, Standards and Laws.
• Ensure that risks are managed effectively and responsibly via a risk management framework.
• Ensure that each plant is well operated on behalf of the Asset Owner
• Developing and maintaining Health, Safety and Environmental protocols.
• Vetting, negotiating with and on-boarding new O&M contractors, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Review defect correction and remedial works programmes.
• Manage O&M planning, which will include a detailed annual plan and five-year plan and budget for each asset.
• Provide inputs to the development team for the scoping of new O&M contracts.
• Ensure the function team is appropriately organised and staffed with authority to hire & terminate employees as necessary to achieve the approved strategy in consultation with General Manager of Asset Management.

Required skills and education background.

• Engineering degree with advanced renewable energy (wind, solar, BESS) knowledge
• Minimum 5-10 years strong and proven commercial experience in a South African infrastructure O&M environment.
• Must have spent a minimum of three years at the same employer in a similar managerial role.
• Proven track record of leading a high-performance operational and diverse team.
• Reporting experience to various Boards of Infrastructure Asset Companies is an essential requirement.
• Knowledge and understanding of the OHS Act.
• Knowledge and application of relevant compliance requirements with complex contractual entities.
• Evidence of managing stakeholder relationships at this level required with senior relationships in the REIPPPP industry (e.g. DOE, NERSA, Eskom, commercial banks) preferred.
• Detail oriented, with an ability to establish and follow processes.
• Understanding of PV system design, operation, and key commercial and business drivers.
• Knowledgeable in the systems, processes and protocols guiding the operations and maintenance of utility PV solar plants and electrical systems.
• MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive).
• Willingness to travel.
• Experience in the management of or the operation and maintenance of wind or solar farms will be advantageous.

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence, determination, resilience, and agility.

Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.

The position is based at the offices of the company, but travel may be required occasionally.

Apply here