Grid Manager – UK

R0001571 Grid Manager – UK (Open)
We’re Nadara. We work harmoniously with the power of nature and the communities around us to power lifetimes to come. We call our approach ‘living energy’.
We don’t just produce renewable energy, we live it – recognising our relationship with the people touched by our business and supporting social, educational, cultural, and environmental initiatives that contribute to the development of the communities we work alongside.
Discover more about our business here: https://nadara.com/about/
Nadara is an innovative place to work. We work in a stimulating and challenging environment, where every day we explore the unknown with curiosity, make decisions with quality and take action and deliver with courage. For us diversity is a real value, and we encourage in connecting different perspectives with respect.
Discover more about our culture and approach here: https://nadara.com/living-the-company/
Job Description Summary:We are looking for an experienced UK Grid Connections Manager, based in London or Edinburgh, to lead grid connection strategy and delivery across Nadara’s UK renewable energy portfolio.
The role will take ownership of grid connections from early-stage strategy and applications through connection offers, agreements, construction support and energisation, with a strong focus on challenging and optimising connection scope, cost and programme.
The successful candidate will act as a senior grid specialist within the UK business, leading engagement with NESO, DNOs, Transmission Owners and specialist advisers, while providing clear technical and commercial recommendations to project teams and senior management.
Job Description:Main Responsibilities
Grid Connection Strategy & Stakeholder Management
Lead and take ownership of the end-to-end grid connection process for UK renewable energy projects, from feasibility and application through connection agreement, delivery and energisation.
Define and optimise connection strategies considering network capacity, connection point, voltage level, reinforcement requirements, programme, costs and overall project economics.
Lead engagement with NESO, DNOs and Transmission Owners, managing connection applications, modifications and project progression.
Manage requirements associated with Connections Reform, Gate 1 and Gate 2, ensuring projects maintain the required readiness and connection status.
Identify opportunities for earlier, alternative, flexible or constrained connections where these could improve project programme or economics.
Provide portfolio-level oversight of grid connection risks, opportunities, costs and programme, identifying priorities and optimisation opportunities across Nadara’s UK projects.
Build and maintain effective relationships with network operators, regulators, industry stakeholders and specialist advisers.
Connection Offer & Commercial Management
Lead the review and negotiation of grid connection offers, modification offers and connection agreements.
Critically challenge network operators, where appropriate, on connection scope, reinforcement requirements, technical assumptions, costs and programme.
Develop robust technical and commercial positions to challenge proposed network works, connection dates or costs, coordinating specialist consultants and legal support where required.
Assess connection CAPEX, contestable and non-contestable works, liabilities, securities, payment schedules and key contractual milestones.
Identify opportunities to reduce connection costs, accelerate connection dates or optimise scope and technical solutions.
Manage connection agreement variations and monitor compliance with contractual and project milestones.
Translate grid-related developments into clear CAPEX, programme, risk and investment impacts for project teams and senior management.
Technical & Regulatory
Maintain strong knowledge of the GB transmission and distribution system, including the respective roles of NESO, Transmission Owners and DNOs.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Grid Code, Distribution Code, G99, CUSC and applicable ENA requirements.
Monitor regulatory, technical and industry developments affecting UK grid connections and assess their implications for Nadara’s portfolio.
Coordinate and critically review power-system studies, including load flow, fault level, reactive power, voltage control, protection, harmonics and dynamic studies, as applicable.
Challenge study assumptions, network reinforcement requirements and proposed technical solutions where appropriate.
Ensure project designs and technical submissions comply with connection agreements and network operator requirements.
Act as the internal senior grid specialist for the review of connection solutions, grid studies and recommendations prepared by external consultants.
Project Delivery & Technical Governance
Provide grid-related technical input throughout project development, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and energisation.
Review project electrical designs to confirm compatibility with connection agreements and network operator requirements.
Provide input into key grid-related infrastructure, including substations, transformers, MV/HV cables, switchgear, protection and control systems, metering and reactive power equipment.
Manage technical interfaces between the generation technology, project electrical infrastructure and network connection.
Support Engineering and Construction teams in resolving grid-related issues during detailed design and project execution.
Coordinate grid compliance, commissioning and energisation activities with network operators, OEMs, contractors and specialist consultants.
Procurement & Consultant Management
Define, procure and manage specialist grid consultancy support, ensuring that external advisers provide technically robust and commercially focused recommendations.
Prepare and review scopes of work for power-system studies, connection offer assessments and other specialist grid services.
Provide grid-related technical input into procurement processes for substations, transformers, switchgear, cables and associated systems.
Support the appointment and management of ICPs, IDNOs, power-system consultants and other specialist contractors, where applicable.
Review consultant and contractor deliverables and ensure that key technical, commercial and programme risks are adequately addressed.
Internal Coordination & Reporting
Work closely with Development, Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to integrate grid strategy into project development and delivery.
Provide senior technical and commercial recommendations on material grid-related decisions and investment approvals.
Maintain accurate portfolio information on connection status, connection dates, costs, securities, liabilities, milestones and risks.
Ensure grid-related assumptions are appropriately reflected in project CAPEX, programme, business cases and risk registers.
Communicate complex grid issues clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Capture and apply lessons learned and best practices across Nadara’s UK portfolio.
Required Skills & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
8+ years’ relevant experience in grid connections, power systems or electricity infrastructure, with significant experience in the UK market.
Strong practical understanding of the GB electricity system and the respective roles of NESO, DNOs and Transmission Owners.
Proven experience leading grid connection applications, offers, agreements and modifications for renewable energy, energy storage or other generation projects.
Demonstrable experience reviewing, challenging and negotiating grid connection offers, including connection scope, network reinforcement, costs and programme.
Strong knowledge of G99, Gr