Performance Engineer

Background

Xina Solar One is a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant located near Pofadder in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province and forms part of the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. Commissioned in 2017, the facility uses parabolic trough technology with molten salt thermal energy storage, enabling it to dispatch electricity for up to 5.5 hours after sunset and supply power during peak demand periods. Electricity generated by Xina Solar One is sold to Eskom under a long-term power purchase agreement, contributing to grid stability, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and South Africa’s transition to a more diversified and sustainable energy mix.

Overall Purpose of the Job

The role focuses on optimizing power plant energy conversion and commercial performance through proactive performance improvement and rigorous data management. It involves continuous monitoring, analysis, and reporting of plant performance, with a strong emphasis on improving operational and maintenance practices. The position requires deep technical expertise in concentrated solar plant technology and experience with Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements, energy management, efficiency audits, and power plant operations. Core responsibilities include modeling and assessing plant performance against the performance model and business case, quantifying losses, and accounting for equipment unavailability. The role also entails daily performance analysis, close coordination with the O&M team, and regular reporting to key stakeholders. Ongoing risk monitoring is critical, particularly regarding the availability and condition of the solar field, main plant equipment, and critical auxiliary systems that may impact production and performance.

Education (Formal Qualification Required)

• Minimum An accredited NQF 8 (bachelor’s degree or Advanced Diploma) in Chemical/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or University degree.

Legal Requirements (e.g. Driver’s License, etc.)

• Driver’s License

Experience (Minimum Experience Required • Number of years)

• Minimum (Years) Experience in performance management of thermal cycles of traditional power plants 5+ years
• Experience in the IPP environment implementing a PPA and O&M agreements and management of assets
• High level of technical ability

Added advantage:

• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) experience
• Proficient in the use of Performance Monitoring Software (EtaPRO, Plant site, VA Viewer or similar)
• Familiar with SCADA
• Basic Statistical knowledge
• High degree of skill in Business Computing Applications such as Word Processors, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint, etc.

Responsibilities and Duties Key Responsibility Areas

• Provide instructions / recommendations based on the actual Facility component/system/equipment availability / condition to ensure optimal operation of the Facility.
• Inspect the operator systems of the Facility to detect anomalies which could lead to production losses or performance of the Facility.
• Support with liaising with and reporting to the Owners Engineer (OE), Lenders Technical Advisor (LTA) and other stakeholders on performance related matters.
• Provide information and support to the Technical Manager in the Project Company.
• Provide technical support internally with respect to warranty, technical queries performance/production impacts etc.
• Periodic performance reporting of critical plant assets.
• Conduct site walkdown with the Maintenance Manager Counterpart to detect anomalies and areas of improvement.
• Follow up of the O&M obligations and Owner commitments.
• Conduct tests and inspections to determine the efficiency of power plant/substation equipment and transmission/distribution power lines.
• Provide guidance and input and as required take the lead to resolve complicated and critical performance and engineering related issues.
• Proactively identify improvement projects to increase plant efficiency, availability, reliability and safety.
• Conduct feasibility studies, conceptual designs, detailed designs for any projects identified or assigned.
• Conduct design reviews as and when necessary.
• Contribute to the risks and opportunities identification and mitigation.
• Primary Technical Performance Advisor to Technical Manager.
• Proactively escalates material performance risks.

Performance Engineer

Key Skills

• Technical
  • Plant control system performance and life cycle management
  • Contractual plant testing such as but not limited to Annual Performance Test planning and execution.
  • Custodian of Data Quality and reliability.
  • Liaising with IT to ensure appropriate backups, hardware warranties, etc. in place for systems.
  • Ensure timely and accurate delivery of information to relevant stakeholders.
  • Data management of key plant indicators and operational parameters. Custodian of Data Quality and reliability
  • Ensure the plant operates at optimum level to maximize the income.
  • Conduct tests and inspections to determine the efficiency of power plant/substation equipment and transmission/distribution power lines.
  • Provide guidance and input and as required take the lead to resolve complicated and critical performance related issues.
  • Analyze plant performance and reliability of systems.
  • Make recommendations to improve system performance.
  • Performance reporting
  • Support to Technical Manager and Executives in Performance-related technical matters, i.e. Warranty and insurance-related technical matters.
• Behavioral
  • Adheres to the Company Policies and Procedures
  • Behave in a responsible way
  • Lives the values of the company
  • Undertakes any other duties as may be requested within reason
  • Drive to achieve results through self and others
  • Ability to build and work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff
  • Ability to work together with the other departments in order to achieve the best result for the company
  • Critical thinking
  • Take ownership
  • Display resilience and courage
  • Maintains high ethics and act with integrity
  • Respects for others as well as cultural diversity
  • Ability to work autonomously, prioritizing tasks and activities in line with business objectives
  • Innovation, vision, creativity, taking initiative, problem solving and decision making
  • A proactive approach to planning and decision making
  • Ability to build effective relationships with key stakeholders.

Location

Based in Upington with minimum 3 days a week at the Power Plant.