Owner’s Engineer - Large-Scale Solar PV & BESS

Powergen Renewable Energy is seeking an Owner’s Engineer for Large-Scale Solar PV & BESS in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves providing independent engineering oversight throughout project phases, ensuring technical robustness and compliance with requirements for solar PV and battery systems. Responsibilities include validating technical studies, plant designs, and performance models for utility-scale projects ranging from 20 MW to 200 MW, aimed at delivering reliable and affordable power.
Company Description We are one of the Financial Times' Africa's Fastest Growing Companies! PowerGen ranked 40th in the overall rankings and 5th in the Energy & Utilities sector. PowerGen a leading renewable energy platform in sub-Saharan Africa. PowerGen owns and operates renewable energy and distribution utility assets to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to all. We are looking for professionals who want to be a part of a highly driven team which is at the forefront of the market and hungry to reshape the landscape of energy in Africa. We want leaders who are committed to the mission and able to think broadly and dynamically about a complex challenge, without losing focus on the critical day-to-day details of managing projects or a team.



Job Description Purpose
The Owner’s Engineer serves as the technical representative of the asset owner, providing independent engineering oversight and validation throughout the design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance verification of large-scale solar PV and battery energy storage projects.
The role ensures that project designs are technically robust, bankable, and capable of delivering firm, dispatchable power, meeting contractual requirements for hourly baseload delivery with ≥95% availability.
The Owner’s Engineer will validate technical studies, system design assumptions, plant performance modelling, and engineering deliverables prepared by EPC contractors and consultants to ensure long-term reliability, safety, and optimal asset performance.
Projects typically range from 20 MW to 200 MW utility-scale solar PV integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) and grid interconnection infrastructure.



Key Responsibilities

1. Project Feasibility & Technical Study Validation

Review and validate all technical studies supporting project bankability and design development, including:

Site Selection & Resource Studies

Solar resource assessment and satellite data validation

Long-term irradiation datasets and uncertainty analysis

Shading and horizon analysis

Site screening and comparative site selection

Topographical & Land Studies

Review detailed topographical surveys

Validate plant layout optimization and earthworks assumptions

Evaluate grading requirements and site constructability

Geotechnical Studies

Review soil investigations, pile pull tests, and geotechnical reports

Validate foundation design assumptions

Assess risk of settlement, pile refusal, or soil instability

Hydrological & Drainage Studies

Review flood risk modelling

Evaluate site drainage design

Validate stormwater management strategies

Grid Interconnection & Power System Studies

Review and validate:

Grid interconnection studies

Load flow studies

Short circuit analysis

Transient stability studies

Harmonic studies

Protection coordination studies

Ensure compliance with utility grid codes and interconnection requirements.



Plant Design & Performance Optimization

Review and validate engineering designs prepared by EPC contractors and consultants. Key areas include:

Solar PV Plant Design

Plant layout and DC architecture

String sizing and DC/AC ratio optimization

Tracker vs fixed tilt selection

Cable routing and electrical balance of plant

Energy Yield Modelling

Validate production modelling performed in tools such as:

PVsyst

Helioscope

HOMER

Internal performance models

Verify:

Loss assumptions

Degradation models

Curtailment assumptions

Availability modelling

P50 / P90 production estimates

BESS Integration & Firm Power Delivery

Review design and operation of Battery Energy Storage Systems integrated with solar plants. Key responsibilities:

Validate battery sizing assumptions for firm power delivery

Review charge/discharge strategies

Evaluate state-of-charge management

Review EMS and SCADA control logic

Ensure system capability to deliver firm hourly baseload output

Validate the ability of the integrated PV + BESS system to meet:

Dispatch obligations

95% operational availability

Contractual power delivery guarantees



Performance Guarantees & Contractual Validation

Support the asset owner in validating EPC contractual guarantees, including:

Plant capacity guarantees

Performance ratio guarantees

Energy yield guarantees

System availability guarantees

BESS performance guarantees (cycle life, round-trip efficiency)

Ensure guarantees are realistic, measurable, and enforceable.

Engineering Design Review

Review detailed engineering designs prepared by EPC contractors, including:

Electrical single line diagrams

Substation and grid interconnection design

Protection and control schemes

SCADA and EMS architecture

Plant layout drawings

BESS container layout and safety systems

Ensure compliance with:

IEC standards

IEEE standards

Utility grid codes

Local regulatory requirements

Construction Quality Oversight

Conduct site inspections to verify installation quality and compliance with approved designs.

Monitor EPC contractor QA/QC procedures and verify installation of key systems including:

PV arrays and trackers

Inverter stations

Medium voltage networks

Substations

BESS containers and PCS systems

FAT, SAT & Commissioning Oversight

Review and approve commissioning and testing procedures.

Witness testing and commissioning on site

Witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for critical equipment including:

Solar inverters

Power conversion systems

Battery modules

Energy management systems

Participate in Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), including:

Grid energization

SCADA integration

Performance verification tests

BESS dispatch testing

Operational Readiness & Performance Verification

Ensure the plant is capable of meeting operational targets including:

95% guaranteed availability

Firm hourly power delivery obligations

Compliance with grid dispatch requirements

Validate:

CoD and O&M readiness

Monitoring systems

Performance Ratio and Performance Guarantees

Key Performance Indicators

Quality and accuracy of engineering design reviews

Technical risk mitigation during design and construction

Successful validation of technical studies

Compliance with engineering standards and project specifications

Successful completion of FAT, SAT, and commissioning

Verified plant performance aligned with contractual guarantees

Guaranteed Performance Ratios

Operational reliability and availability ≥95%





Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or related discipline. Experience acting as Owner’s Engineer, Independent Engineer, Lender’s Engineer, or Technical Advisor on large infrastructure projects. Strong knowledge of grid interconnection and power system integration. Professional engineering registration preferred. Required Experience Minimum 10–15 years experience in renewable energy engineering, including solar PV and battery storage systems. Demonstrated experience in hybrid utility-scale solar PV and battery energy storage systems. Experience acting as: Owner’s Engineer; Independent Engineer; or Lender’s Engineer Candidates must demonstrate: Participation in at least three (3) utility-scale solar PV projects exceeding 30 MW each At least one (1) project exceeding 100 MW solar PV Experience with PV + BESS hybrid systems is strongly preferred Strong experience in reviewing or performing: Solar resource assessment; PV yield modelling (PVsyst); Grid interconnection studies; Power system modelling (ETAP, PSSE, PSCAD); Geotechnical and topographical study interpretation; BESS sizing and dispatch modelling Multiple power generation sources integration via EMS including solar PV, diesel generators, and BESS Direct involvement in engineering design review, construction supervision, FAT/SAT verification, commissioning, and technical acceptance for utility-scale projects Experience in cross-border or emerging market projects. Demonstrated experience delivering projects in remote or logistically challenging environments, with willingness and ability to work on-site during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
Key Competencies
Technical Expertise: Utility-scale solar PV, BESS integration, power system design, grid interconnection.


Engineering Governance: Design validation, engineering compliance, and technical risk management.


Analytical Skills: Strong ability to assess engineering assumptions and validate performance models.


Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to interface with EPC contractors, consultants, lenders, and utilities.


Attention to Detail: Commitment to engineering accuracy, reliability, and safety.





Additional Information Benefits and Compensation: A competitive package including annual compensation, performance bonuses, health insurance, professional development and team building events. And you'll be working with a dynamic team of people passionate about electrifying East and West Africa!

Why Join Us

Lead landmark solar hybrid projects transforming Nigeria’s and West Africa’s energy landscape.

Be part of a fast-growing regional team with projects across Africa.

Take ownership of complex, high-impact projects from concept to operation.