Analyst: Site Originator

Analyst: Site Originator – Fixed Term Contract

About the Company

Since its establishment in 2008, Mulilo has grown into one of the leading Independent Power Producers (IPP) in Southern Africa. Mulilo is majority owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the world’s leading private equity investor in renewable energy assets, through its New Markets Fund I. Mulilo has concluded numerous PPA's in both the Department of Mineral Energy's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and with several large corporate energy users. Mulilo currently operates 450MW of wind and solar PV projects and has a further 500MW of projects under financial close. Having adopted a strategy that aligns with the company's long-term vision, Mulilo has accumulated a pipeline of projects exceeding 25GW, and is now positioned as a key player in the renewable energy sector.

Mulilo places strong emphasis on its human capital and prides itself in providing a world class working environment for all its employees, thereby placing huge value on career progression and personal growth.

Mulilo is guided by strong ethical principles and adheres to its environmental, social and governance responsibilities.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)

Founded in 2012, CIP is the world’s largest dedicated renewable energy fund manager and a global leader in offshore wind. CIP currently manages over 30 billion Euro’s, with a target of having 100 billion Euros under management by 2030. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

About the role

•  Positioned within the Development Division and reporting to Head of Site Origination and Land
• Responsible for originating and securing new project sites (wind, solar and BESS) for the Developers to start the development process.
• Interact with grid, environmental and engineering teams to determine site viability.

Duties and responsibilities 

•  Originate and secure new land rights and servitudes to ensure growth of Mulilo's project pipeline.
• Work with Mulilo's grid, engineering, and environmental teams to perform fatal flaw and due diligence on new land areas short-listed and procure and manage the services of external consultants/specialists where required.
• Assist the Head of Site Origination and Land to ensure timely acquisition of all project rights including option agreements, servitudes, permits, consents, leases for new and current projects.
• Package and formally handover new sites to the Project Development Team and assist the Project Development Team with land permitting and engagement with landowners as required.
• Assist the development of technical concepts and solutions of the projects, identify optimal solutions from a technical, commercial and execution perspective including civil, mechanical, and electrical aspects of solar PV and wind plants, interconnection and high-voltage design and yield assessments.
• Create and maintain strong relations with landowners, local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders
• Coordinate with internal teams (including development, permitting, engineering, finance, legal, and environmental) to ensure all aspects of site acquisition are met.

Key Tasks

Land rights

• Identify and secure suitable land parcels for renewable development with valid option to lease agreements.
• Drive the negotiations of securing Option Agreements with landowners with the assistance of the Land Rights Team.
• Effectively project manage land acquisition campaigns.

Pre-Screening Studies

• Perform environmental, yield and technical studies on the land, engage with the relevant internal teams, and prepare presentations to the Head of Site Origination and Land and the Head of Development for a go/no-go on acquisition of land and a decision on commercial terms to be offered to the landowners.

Reporting

• Provide project progress reporting to internal stakeholders.
• Complete campaign handover packs.

Required skills and education background. 

• Bachelor's degree or technical diploma in engineering, environmental management or other relevant field,
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in renewables and/or environmental management,
• Strong negotiation skills,
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment,
• Strong communication and relationship skills towards external project stakeholders,
• Fluent in English and Afrikaans

Remuneration

• Basic and commission.
• Mulilo will cover all project related travel expenses including food, accommodation, communication, car rental and travel with own vehicle (at a rate of the then applicable and prevailing Automobile Association of South Africa rate).

Desirable attributes

The ideal candidate would have a passion for the Renewable Energy sector and personality traits would include a high level of diligence, determination, resilience, and agility.

Mulilo is an employer of choice and is offering an extremely competitive total remuneration package for this position.

Additional Information

Able to work overtime according to operational needs.

Frequent travel within South Africa will be required to meet with landowners.