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
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.
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.