Grid Connection Manager

Taylor Hopkinson | Powered by Brunel; Italia; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Taylor Hopkinson | Powered by Brunel is supporting an international renewable energy company in the appointment of a Grid Connection Manager to join its Italian project development activities. The role will own the grid connection workstream across utility-scale solar PV, BESS and hybrid assets, coordinating Terna, DSOs and internal teams from assessment to energisation.

You will support grid studies, prepare connection applications and ensure adherence to CEI 0-16, TICA and Grid Code across

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of professional experience in grid connection, power systems or renewable energy projects.
• Proven experience with utility-scale renewables and/or energy storage projects in Italy.
• Experience dealing with Terna and Italian DSOs.
• Knowledge of STMG/STMD processes, TICA, Terna Grid Code and CEI 0-16.
• Strong technical understanding of MV/HV infrastructure, substations, protection and control systems.
• Ability to interpret single-line diagrams, connection offers, grid studies and engineering documentation.
• Experience managing technical consultants, project timelines, budgets and multiple stakeholders.
• Fluent Italian and good professional English.
• Strong MS Office; knowledge of AutoCAD and/or GIS; familiarity with power-system modelling tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory or PSS7E.
• Willingness to travel within Italy and a valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the grid connection strategy for new projects, assessing capacity, solutions, voltage levels and constraints.
• Manage the submission of grid connection applications and technical documentation to Terna and DSOs.
• Oversee STMG/STMD processes, connection offers, contracts, fees, milestones and operator requirements.
• Build relationships with Terna, E-Distribuzione and other network operators for technical discussions.
• Coordinate external consultants and internal specialists undertaking power-system and grid studies.
• Ensure projects align with Italian grid-connection regulations and standards (TICA, Grid Code, CEI 0-16, ARERA).
• Provide input on connection infrastructure design including substations, transformers, MV/HV cables and protection.
• Monitor cost, schedule and risk of the grid workstream and propose mitigation measures.
• Collaborate with Development, Permitting, Land, Legal, Finance, Investment, Procurement, Engineering and Construction teams.
• Support grid expertise in acquisitions, due diligence, financing and divestment decisions.
• Facilitate handover to construction with grid compliance, testing, energisation and COD activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation and provide regular updates to project development management.

Skills

Grid connection

Power systems

Renewable energy

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Technical due diligence

Grid studies

Regulatory compliance

English proficiency

Italian language

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

PSSb7E

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.