This document defines the minimum and preferred recruitment requirements for hiring a Senior Electrical Engineer (Wind & HV Substation) responsible for electrical engineering design governance, grid integration, construction support, commissioning and operational readiness of utility-scale Wind energy projects, including primary substation construction up to 400 kV and above.
The role is a Head Office position acting as Owner, Owner’s Engineer or Electrical Technical Authority, providing expert design review and technical leadership across the full project lifecycle from early-stage feasibility through to Commercial Operation Date (COD).
Responsibilities-
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Act as electrical design authority and technical lead for wind power projects from concept design through to commissioning and handover.
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Define, maintain and enforce Owner electrical standards, design criteria and design philosophies for wind and HV substation scopes.
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Review, challenge and approve EPC and OEM electrical designs, studies, specifications, protection coordination studies and calculations.
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Lead design and oversight of primary HV substation construction up to 400 kV, including transformers, switchgear, protection and metering.
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Oversee MV collector systems, turbine electrical interfaces, array cables and wind farm substation design.
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Lead grid connection activities including grid code compliance, fault ride-through, reactive power capability and coordination with utilities and TSOs.
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Manage electrical interfaces between wind turbines, MV collector networks, primary substations, SCADA systems and export cables or transmission lines.
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Review and approve technical specifications for HV equipment, switchgear, transformers, cables and protection systems.
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Support procurement activities including technical evaluation of electrical equipment, HV plant suppliers and OEM wind turbine electrical systems.
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Support construction, commissioning, testing, energization programmes and achievement of COD.
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Provide electrical input to contractual, commercial and technical risk management discussions.
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Support O&M and Asset Management teams post-COD, including failure analysis and performance optimization.
General Experience
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10-15 years of professional experience in electrical engineering within power generation or renewable energy projects.
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7–10 years of direct hands-on experience in wind energy projects above 200 MW.
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Demonstrable experience in primary HV substation design and construction (132 kV, 220 kV, 400 kV or above).
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Proven experience working under EPC, multi-contract or Owner-managed delivery models.
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Experience working with utilities, IPPs, EPC contractors, turbine OEMs or engineering consultants.
Technology-Specific Design Experience (Wind & HV)
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MV collector system design and turbine electrical interface engineering.
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Primary HV substation design: layout, equipment sizing, protection schemes, earthing, cable management and civil coordination.
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Wind farm substation engineering: transformers, switchgear, MV/HV busbars and grid compliance systems.
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Power system studies: load flow, short-circuit analysis, protection coordination and arc flash.
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Grid code compliance: fault ride-through, reactive power, frequency response and energization requirements.
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SCADA, plant controller (PPC) and wind farm control system interfaces.
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High-voltage commissioning and energization procedures, including coordination with grid operators.
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Advanced HV substation design (up to 400 kV or above): primary plant, protection, metering and earthing.
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Wind farm MV collector network design and cable sizing calculations.
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Power system studies: load flow, short circuit, protection and stability analysis.
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Grid connection engineering, interconnection requirements and utility coordination.
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SCADA, PPC and wind farm control systems.
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Commissioning, energization and high-voltage testing procedures.
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Construction sequencing and critical path management for HV electrical works.
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Reliability runs and performance tests on wind generation plant.
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Project controls including Primavera P6 or equivalent planning tools.
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Risk management, QA/QC and electrical inspection test plans.
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Interface management between civil, structural, mechanical and electrical disciplines.
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Candidates must demonstrate solid understanding of electrical project contracts, including:
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Electrical EPC Contracts and Wind Turbine Supply Agreements.
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HV substation construction and commissioning contracts.
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Grid Connection Agreements with TSOs and utilities.
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Lender requirements and electrical technical due diligence for wind projects.
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Electrical performance guarantees, liquidated damages and delay provisions.
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Change order and claims management.
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Completion, acceptance and electrical handover procedures.
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Demonstrated commitment to HSE principles with specific expertise in HV electrical safety:
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Strong understanding of HV electrical safety risks associated with substation construction, energization, switching operations and commissioning of wind generation plant.
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Ensure EPC contractors and OEMs fully comply with HSE policies, electrical safety procedures, permit-to-work systems, LOTO requirements and site-specific safety rules.
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Lead preparation, review and approval of JSA, Method Statements, Risk Assessments and HV Switching Procedures.
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Oversee safe energization, switching and commissioning activities with proper coordination of site HSE teams, grid operators and control rooms.
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Promote a Zero Harm safety culture across multidisciplinary project teams.