The Projects:
EDF Renewables South Africa is currently constructing 3x 140 MW wind projects between the towns of Middelburg (EC) and Noupoort (NC). The cluster of projects is named Koruson 1, was won under the REIPPPP bid window 5 with COD expected in Q1 2025. Each project is a separate SPV with its own substation and grid connection. A single team, based at a centralised O&M building will be responsible for all O&M activities over the 3 sites. O&M of the wind turbines will be contracted to the OEM, while the O&M of the balance of plant, including substation and overhead lines, all civil infrastructure and the O&M building will fall under the scope of the BOP O&M team. A further 2x 140 MW wind projects (Koruson 2) has also recently started construction, with COD expected in Q1 2026.
Main purpose of the role:
The Plant Manager will head up the BOP O&M team and be overall responsible for all three projects, including ensuring health and safety of all people and equipment under his/her control, site access and security, ensuring maximum BOP plant availability. He/she will ensure that environmental activities are carried out according to the environmental management program.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure Balance of plant equipment is operated and maintained in compliance to all project agreements including the PPA, BOP O&M and Implementation agreements.
- Take accountability for long term plant health by developing and implementing required strategy and actions.
- Compilation of O&M annual plans for BOP scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and ensure that maintenance activities align with OEM specifications.
- Implement procedures, rules, and systems such that the facility is operated safely with optimum efficiency,
- Effective management of subordinates and subcontractors on site.
- Ensure compliance to Health Safety and Environmental standard operating procedures.
- Direct the O&M site team in the performance of plant outages, ad-hoc capital projects and daily operations and maintenance activities.
- Administer the plants Safety, Operations, Maintenance and Compliance to the necessary transmission codes (OSH Act, SAGC, Network code etc.)
- In collaboration with the Human Resources Department, establish and maintain staffing requirements as per approved organization structure and ensure that all staff is appropriately trained, deemed competent and productive.
- Create an environment and set a culture for a high-performance team.
- Compile standard operating procedures to ensure effective quality control of O&M activities.
- Effective management of the O&M Co budget.
- Inventory management of BOP spare parts to ensure spares are available and functional when needed
- Manage the chosen Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
- Manage and authorise work permits for work carried out on site.
- Source, evaluate and manage contractors for specialised outsourced services such as waste management, environmental, Electrical Balance of Plant as well as Civil Balance of Plant.
- Effective warranty management of installed equipment and spare parts.
- Prudent reporting of O&M activities to internal and external project stakeholders.
- Foster good relationships with landowners and manage the relationship between landowners and EDFR
- Ensure O&M KPI’s such as MTTR, MTBF, Failure response, Availability and MTTD are within contractual and OEM specifications.
- Manage site access for site personnel and contractors.
- Accept legal appointment as per the SHEQ management plan and General Machinery Regulations (GMR)
- Witness performance and commissioning test on site prior to COD.
- Liaise with onsite turbine OEM contractor
The BOP O&M Co Manager is responsible to provide support in the Technical, HSEQ, ED, REX and Asset Management workstreams on projects in the:
- Implementation phase: Construction (Handover)
- Operations phase: Asset management and operation & maintenance
The position reports directly into:
The position reports functionally into:
Must-have Qualifications and Certifications:
- Minimum National Diploma in related field (NQF Level 6)
Preferred Qualifications and Certifications:
- National Diploma or bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Must-have years of industry experiences:
- Minimum 10 years' work experience, including experience in the energy sector globally, with renewables and storage experience preferred.
- Extensive knowledge of the O&M best practices
- Extensive knowledge of electrical infrastructure, substations, and Overhead lines
Technical competencies:
- Strong commercial judgment and technical acumen with strong attention to detail, ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities, with a strong focus on results and outcomes.
- Problem solving ability
- Strong people management skills
- Microsoft 365 Office: Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, Powerpoint
Behavioral competencies:
- Intercultural skills, ability to adapt and manage priorities, autonomy, teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills, Conflict management, budget and contracts, negotiation, curiosity
Leadership competencies, if applicable:
- Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English; additional local language skills are an advantage.
- Willingness to travel regularly in rural areas and driver’s license.
- Experience managing a large diverse team on site.
- Experience in mentoring junior team members.
- Developing career paths and competency matrices for subordinates