Senior Wind Energy Development Manager

Phelan Green Energy is seeking a Senior Wind Energy Development Manager in Cape Town, South Africa. The role involves leading the development of utility-scale wind projects, including site identification, budget preparation, and stakeholder engagement. Candidates should have a degree in a related field and over 6 years of renewable energy experience, with a focus on wind project development. Strong leadership and project management skills are essential.
Job Title: Senior Wind Energy Development Manager

Location: Cape Town

Department: Renewable Energy Project Development

Reports to: Head of Solar

Role Overview:

The Senior Wind Energy Development Manager leads the origination and early-stage development of utility-scale wind energy projects, from site identification through to financial close readiness. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep understanding of both technical and commercial drivers, capable of managing multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders to unlock project value.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the identification, screening, and securing of wind development sites, including land agreements and resource validation.
• Oversee the preparation of development budgets, schedules, and risk assessments.
• Drive permitting strategy and manage environmental and regulatory approval processes.
• Coordinate internal inputs across engineering, grid, legal, and finance to progress development milestones.
• Manage third-party consultants, including EIA teams, wind analysts, and permitting advisors and provide analysis on these.
• Engage with government entities, grid operators, and landowners to secure key approvals and agreements.
• Support commercial structuring including offtake discussions, JV structuring, and bid preparation.
• Maintain a development pipeline dashboard and report on project status to senior management and investors.
• Conduct due diligence analysis with regards to wind resource, energy yield, project capacities, turbine layout and suitability of sites for proposed wind sites.

Requirements:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy Systems, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in renewable energy, with at least 3 years in wind project development.
• Proven track record of taking wind projects through early-stage development to financial close or construction.
• Deep understanding of wind project permitting, grid connection, and yield assessment.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in use of wind resource assessment.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications to hr@phelangreen.com.