Grid Connection manager

Taylor Hopkinson; Valencia; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Hopkinson is supporting an international renewable energy company in appointing a Grid Connection Manager to join its Italian project development activities. The role owns the grid connection workstream across a portfolio of utility-scale solar PV, BESS and hybrid assets, from initial assessment to energisation and COD.

Fluent Italian and professional English are required, with 5–8 years in grid connection or power systems, and experience with Terna/DSOs. Travel within Italy is expected.

Qualifications

• Approximately 5–8 years in grid connection or power systems.
• Experience on utility-scale renewables in Italy is required.
• Knowledge of Terna, CEI 0-16 and related procedures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead grid connection strategy for new projects, assessing capacity and constraints.
• Prepare and submit grid connection applications to Terna and DSOs.
• Oversee stages of Italian connection process: offers, contracts, milestones.
• Maintain relationships with Terna, E-Distribuzione and other operators.
• Coordinate external consultants and internal specialists for studies.
• Ensure alignment with Italian grid regulations and standards.
• Support design of substations, lines, protection and metering.
• Monitor cost, schedule, risk; propose mitigations.
• Collaborate with Development, Permitting, Land, Legal and Finance teams.
• Support grid expertise in acquisitions and due diligence.

Skills

Grid connection

Power systems

Stakeholder management

Renewables experience

Italy knowledge

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

PowerFactory

PSS/E

Job description

Taylor Hopkinson is supporting an international renewable energy company in the appointment of a Grid Connection Manager to join its Italian project development activities. The successful candidate will take ownership of the grid connection workstream across a portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on solar PV, BESS and hybrid assets. The role covers the connection lifecycle from initial grid assessment and connection strategy through to advanced development, construction interface, energisation and commercial operation. It is a hands‑on position requiring strong technical knowledge of the Italian electricity network, combined with the ability to coordinate multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the grid connection strategy for new projects, assessing available capacity, connection solutions, voltage levels, network constraints, reinforcement requirements and potential curtailment.
• Manage the preparation and submission of grid connection applications and the associated technical documentation to Terna and relevant DSOs.
• Oversee the different stages of the Italian connection process, including STMG/STMD activities, connection offers, contracts, fees, milestones and operator requirements.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Terna, E‑Distribuzione and other network operators, representing the company in technical discussions and resolving outstanding matters.
• Coordinate external consultants and internal technical specialists undertaking power‑system and grid studies, including load flow, short‑circuit, reactive power, protection, harmonic and dynamic analyses.
• Ensure that projects remain aligned with the applicable Italian grid‑connection regulations and technical standards, including TICA, Terna Grid Code, CEI 0‑16 and relevant ARERA requirements.
• Provide technical input on the design of connection infrastructure, including substations, transformers, MV/HV cables and lines, protection systems, metering, SCADA/telecontrol and plant control systems.
• Monitor the cost, schedule and risk profile of the grid workstream, identifying potential delays, additional network requirements and operational constraints and proposing mitigation measures.
• Work closely with Development, Permitting, Land, Legal, Finance, Investment, Procurement, Engineering and Construction teams to ensure that grid‑related activities remain coordinated with the wider project programme.
• Contribute grid expertise to project acquisitions, technical due diligence, investment decisions, financing and divestment processes, highlighting relevant risks, liabilities and development conditions.
• Support the transition from development into construction by ensuring an effective technical handover and supporting grid compliance, testing, energisation and activities through COD.
• Maintain accurate documentation, trackers, correspondence and records of interactions with network operators and provide regular updates to project development management.

Candidate Profile

• Approximately 5‑8 years of professional experience in grid connection, power systems or renewable energy projects.
• Proven experience working on utility‑scale renewable energy and/or energy storage projects in Italy.
• Practical understanding of the Italian grid connection framework and experience dealing with Terna and/or Italian DSOs.
• Knowledge of STMG/STMD processes, TICA, Terna Grid Code, CEI 0‑16 and relevant MyTerna/GAUDÌ procedures.
• Good technical understanding of MV/HV infrastructure, substations, transformers, protection and control systems, reactive power, metering and SCADA/telecontrol.
• Ability to interpret and critically assess single‑line diagrams, connection offers, grid studies and engineering documentation.
• Experience managing technical consultants, project timelines, budgets and multiple stakeholder interfaces.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate independently and interact confidently with network operators, consultants, EPC contractors and internal teams.
• Fluent Italian and good professional English, both written and spoken.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and/or GIS is advantageous, as is familiarity with power‑system modelling tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory or PSS®E.
• Availability to travel within Italy as required and a valid driving licence.