PV Electrical Technician

Engie; Kathu; On-site; ZAR 50 000 - 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent renewable energy company in Kathu seeks an experienced PV Electrical Technician to manage maintenance activities and ensure optimal performance of PV electrical systems. The ideal candidate should possess a technical diploma, significant experience in electrical maintenance, and a proactive approach. This role focuses on advanced electrical expertise, ensuring safety protocols, and diagnosing equipment issues. Competitive, market-related compensation offered.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in electrical maintenance of large power plants.
• Use of safety systems and CMMS.
• Experience in maintenance and repair of PV inverters.

Responsibilities

• Apply electrical expertise to achieve operational performance targets.
• Plan and manage maintenance activities using CMMS.
• Diagnose and repair electrical assets efficiently.

Skills

Proactive attitude

Team player

Strong electrical aptitude

Organizational skills

Working knowledge of environmental regulations

Education

N6/ National Diploma or BTech in Electrical (Power Engineering)

Trade test certificate: Electrical Engineering

Matric (Gr12)

Tools

Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)

MAXIMO

SAP

Job description

PV Electrical Technician: ENGIE Kathu Operations (Internal/External)

Job Details

• Position Title: PV Electrical Technician
• Reports to: Lead Technician - Electrical
• Department: Maintenance
• Hay Level: HL 17
• Location: Kathu - Northern Cape

Background

ENGIE is a major player in the energy transition, whose purpose is to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy. With 98,000 employees in 30 countries, the Group covers the entire energy value chain, from production to infrastructures and sales. ENGIE combines complementary activities: renewable electricity and green gas production, flexibility assets (notably batteries), gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks, local energy infrastructures and the supply of energy to individuals, local authorities, and businesses. Every year, ENGIE works to drive forward the energy transition and achieve its net-zero carbon goal by 2045. The Group has been present in Africa for over 50 years.

ENGIE provides expertise in four (4) Global Business Units:

• Renewables & Flex Power - Delivering greener and smarter electrons through renewable energy and flexible power solutions.
• Local Energy Infrastructures - Support customers in achieving significant decarbonisation goals.
• Networks - Expanding and adapting power and gas infrastructure to accommodate the transition to green molecules.
• Supply & Energy Management - Leveraging ENGIE's global energy assets to deliver secure, sustainable energy to customers.

About ENGIE in South Africa:

• 15 years + presence in South Africa
• First and largest Independent Power Producer (IPP) with more than 1,6 GW in operation
• Over 300 + professionals
• Developed, built and operate the first H2 plant in Africa at Mogalakwena mine
• Founding member of the Hydrogen valley initiative with Anglo American and the Department of Science and Technology
• Operational and Safety excellence across all sites
• Growth Market for ENGIE

In South Africa, ENGIE has a growing involvement and portfolio of operational assets:

• Avon & Dedisa Peaking Power (1005 MW OCGT)
• Xina Solar One (100 MW CSP)
• Kathu Solar Park (100 MW CSP)
• Aurora Wind (95 MW Onshore Wind)
• Golden Valley (117 MW Onshore Wind)
• Excelsior (32 MW Onshore Wind)
• Konkoonsies 2 (75 MW Solar PV)
• Aggeneys (40 MW Solar PV)
• MBP (75 MW Solar PV)
• Grootspruit (75 MW Solar PV) - in construction
• Graspan (75 MW Solar PV) - in construction
• OYA Hybrid (333 MW Solar/ Wind/ BESS) - in construction
• For more information please visit: www.engie-africa.com

Preamble

Kathu Operations is a 100 MW greenfield Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project with parabolic trough technology and equipped with a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage and thus limits the intermittent nature of solar energy.

Key Responsibilities & Purpose of the Job

• Purpose – Apply advanced electrical expertise to PV plant electrical assets to achieve operational performance targets, in line with company procedures and maintenance directives from the Electrical Lead Tech, Electrical Engineer and Maintenance Manager. This includes ensuring that all electrical interventions such as diagnostics, repairs, calibrations, and component replacements are executed within required timeframes, to industry standards, and at optimal cost.
• Plan and manage maintenance activities using CMMS systems (MAXIMO/SAP) as directed by the Electrical Lead Tech, Maintenance Manager and O&M Planner
• Ensure plant Electrical equipment is operated and maintained as per the relevant manuals and documentation to mitigate any risk of voiding equipment warranties
• Report daily, monthly, quarterly plant performance observations, electrical measurements, faults, maintenance activities, equipment condition, outages, safety concerns, and any issues affecting PV system performance to the Performance Engineer for analysis and optimization

Main Activities

• Enforce HSE and Quality policies and procedures and ensure that all HSE measures and precautions are strictly considered during day-to-day maintenance activities
• Plan, prepare for, manage, and execute activities pertaining to corrective maintenance on the PV plant, ensuring that all HSE procedures are strictly followed
• Ensure there is a Permit to Work for all work as necessitated by HSE procedures
• Execute electrical day-to-day maintenance activities according to the CMMS (MAXIMO/SAP) notification/work order and properly set by the Electrical Engineer/Maintenance Planner
• Collaborate with other maintenance disciplines, including C&I, to support continuous plant operation including the CSP Plant
• Attend to all breakdowns, perform fault finding/root cause analysis and resolve, fix or replace faulty equipment with minimal energy loss to achieve QA/QC
• Administers the Preventive / Predictive / Corrective mechanical Maintenance Programs through a computerized management program
• Diagnose, test, repair, and/or replace PV panels, cables, cable interconnections, PV junction/string boxes, connectors, fuses, transformers, HV yard equipment, mechanical tracking system components, switchgear, and control gear in PV systems
• Ensure that contractors have all the needed resources and tools to conduct Electrical maintenance activities effectively and that tasks they perform are properly recorded in the CMMS
• Perform technical maintenance activities of the plant with special attention on the conversion units and tracking system
• Be willing to perform other Ad Hoc activities on site as guided/instructed by the Electrical Lead Tech or Maintenance Manager
• Link the data detected by the systems (SCADA, control rooms etc.) to the events occurred in the power plants
• Participate in drafting the maintenance procedures necessary for plant operations and participate SAP/MAXIMO development and implementation
• Have the capacity to train/mentor interns or Technical Assistants
• Respond to plant alarms by diagnosing and troubleshooting faults after notification from the CRO
• Efficient management of tools, spares and consumables inventory while controlling the risks to the business
• Respect the O&M agreement with the Owner and other contractual obligations
• Read and interpret Electrical drawings, schematics, and technical specifications to plan, install, and maintain Electrical systems and equipment efficiently and safely
• Execute Preventive, Predictive, and Corrective Maintenance programs as scheduled through the CMMS, coordinating with the Maintenance Planner, Electrical Engineer, and Maintenance Manager

Health & Safety

• The Job Holder will work in a controlled hazardous environment.

Work Levels and Conditions and Risks:

• Work Level 4: the tasks that he/she performs as part of their daily work activities represent a risk of accidents of medium kind that can generate permanent consequences (burns, mutilations, irreversible wounds)

Exposure to Risks

• Traffic/automobile accidents, ergonomic problems and accidents
• Risks inherent to the job of the PV Electrical Technician while performing inspections, site visits, engineering, operations and maintenance activities, etc.

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment

The Job Holder is entitled to apply PPE such as hard hat/safety helmet, ear protection (plugs or ear muffs), safety glasses, safety shoes, dust mask, cotton coveralls, safety gloves, respiratory mask. Such PPE will aid in preventing hazards that are inherent to the job.

Communication and Working Relationships

The Job Holder will work and communicate with:

• Internal: CEO, Head of Departments in Kathu Operations and workforces
• External: Contractors, Services providers, Energy regulators, KSP and AMEA

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Essential Qualifications:

• Matric (Gr12)
• N6/ National Diploma or BTech in Electrical (Power Engineering)
• Trade test certificate: Electrical Engineering
• Driver's License

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years' experience in the Electrical maintenance of a large power plant or industrial, oil and gas, petrochemical, mineral processing or in the chemical industry
• Use of safety systems
• Use of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• Experience in the maintenance and repair of PV inverters and related equipment
• Engineering concepts, Standards and principles
• MV/HV switching (Authorized person)
• Utility scale PV plant construction or operations

Skills:

• Highly proactive and self-motivated
• Must be a strong team player and good interpersonal skills
• Must be able to think clearly and respond calmly in emergency situations
• Must have excellent organizational skills
• Must be able to plan and work independently and take responsibility for plant projects
• Knowledge of equipment installed derived through hands-on experience and formal training
• Strong Electrical aptitude, basic understanding of Electrical, chemistry, physics, and mathematics
• Demonstrates skills in the use of tools, test equipment and calibration appliances
• Must be comfortable with computer generated data, instrumentation, Scada and sensors
• Working knowledge of Environmental Regulations as they pertain to the operations and maintenance of an energy generating facility
• Ability to perform First Aid and CPR
• Must have a high degree of skill in Business Computing Applications such as Databases, Word processors, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint and Maximo, other ERP systems (Oracle or SAP) or equivalent

Language:

• English Language: Excellent communication skills both written and verbal in English

Remuneration

• The compensation will be market related

Additional Information

• Incomplete CV's and/or applications will not be considered. Your CV should be accompanied by your supporting documents.

Closing Date: 13 February 2026.

By submitting any personal information to the Company, the candidate consents to the processing of the submitted personal information for recruitment purposes.

Business Unit: GBU Renewables & Flexible Power

Division: R&B AMEA - South Africa

Legal Entity: Kathu Operations Proprietary Limited

Professional Experience: Skilled (>3 experience <15 years)

Education Level: Technical College Diploma

Company Name: ENGIE South Africa

Note

Closing note: This description has been refined for formatting consistency while preserving the original content.