Renewable Energy Project Developer

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Performance-based bonus

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, Eastern Cape, seeks an ambitious Renewable Energy Project Developer to identify, evaluate, and advance solar and wind projects. You will manage site prospects, secure land and permits, develop PPAs, and drive projects toward financial close, navigating South Africa's regulatory and financing landscape.

The role offers a hybrid work model, a competitive base salary with performance-based bonuses, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, or Business; MBA/Master's a plus.
• Minimum 7 years in renewable energy project development.
• Proven track record of bringing projects to financial close and PPA structures.
• Strong understanding of project finance and SA energy regulatory framework.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and business development skills.
• Experience with land rights, permitting, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess new renewable energy opportunities (solar, wind) through market analysis.
• Conduct preliminary feasibility studies including resource assessment and initial costs.
• Secure land rights, environmental permits, and grid connection agreements.
• Develop and negotiate PPAs and related project contracts.
• Build relationships with landowners, government, utilities, and financiers.
• Manage early-stage development toward financial close and construction readiness.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Business development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance/Business

MBA or Master's degree a plus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an ambitious and experienced Renewable Energy Project Developer to identify, evaluate, and advance new energy projects, particularly in solar and wind, within the Eastern Cape and beyond, based in East London . This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of the energy market, regulatory landscape, and project finance. You will be responsible for building a pipeline of viable projects, securing land, permits, and offtake agreements. This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven individual to shape the future of clean energy generation in South Africa, working within a supportive and growth-oriented organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and assess new opportunities for renewable energy projects (solar, wind) through market analysis and site prospecting.
• Conduct preliminary feasibility studies, including resource assessment, site suitability, and initial cost estimations.
• Secure land rights, environmental permits, and grid connection agreements for development projects.
• Develop and negotiate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other project-related contracts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including landowners, government agencies, utilities, and financiers.
• Manage the early-stage development process, moving projects towards financial close and construction readiness.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related field; MBA or relevant Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project development, specifically within the renewable energy sector .
• Proven track record of successfully developing and bringing renewable energy projects to financial close.
• Strong understanding of project finance, PPA structures, and the South African energy regulatory framework.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and business development skills.
• Experience with site analysis, permitting, and stakeholder engagement in the energy industry .

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and a significant performance-based bonus structure tied to project success.
• Hybrid work model offering a balance of office and remote flexibility.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and involvement in high-impact projects.
• Be a key player in the sustainable energy transition in the Eastern Cape, based in East London .