Energy Planner

The role is responsible for short and long-range customer demand forecasting and the development of befitting short and long-range energy sourcing plans in respect of CEC’s power purchases to support the customer demand requirements. It plays a key role in the forecasting of renewable energy from the CEC generation portfolio. This role works very closely with network expansion planning activities by providing demand trends and long-term demand expectations. The role also actively participates in company marketing/customer liaison activities to ensure the requirements of both existing and potential customers are addressed. The job holder is responsible for the successful implementation of new power supply agreements and power purchase agreements.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop short and long-range energy availability forecasts in respect of CEC’s power sourcing from the CEC energy generation portfolio to support business planning; Meet requirements under the ZESCO BSA and IPP PPAs and any such similar requirements; Provide advice to management on the most economic blend of sourcing; Ensure that energy forecasting tools are put to good use to enable CEC to derive value from economical energy blend.
• Play a key role in analysing energy data pertaining to energy sources and availability; Provide information on the availability of renewable energy and other sources owned by CEC.
• Develop and maintain a database in respect of the following:
• Supplier performance and patterns
• Supplier power data/patterns
• Power Wheeling data/patterns
• Any other relevant data for use in deriving statistics, supplier trending, general supplier management and decision-making.
• Ensure timely assessment and clearance of supplier invoices to enable timely settlement of invoices by the Finance Department.
• Ensure production of reports on CEC energy blend by technology and performance against set KPIs towards de-carbonization for CEC.
• Actively participate in company marketing/supplier/customer liaison activities to ensure requirements of both existing and potential suppliers/customers are well taken care of and that CEC’s service offering is well understood by all supplier/customer categories.
• Provide technical assistance on power system modelling and analysis to other departments such as System Operations, Renewables etc.
• In the area of renewable energy forecasting, ensure that training and development of relevant internal staff are undertaken in order to enhance company performance and productivity.
• Assist the Senior Account Manager to plan to coordinate and to control operating departmental budgets so as to minimize expenditure without compromising departmental performance.
• Prepare suitable monthly, quarterly and annual reports in relation to all key accountability areas.

To be considered for this role, you will be required to have:

• Grade 12 School Certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Relevant qualifications in energy management, statistics and /or power systems are an added advantage.
• Relevant experience in generation planning.
• Registered member of EIZ.
• 5 years of combined practical experience in energy management, energy statistics, generation, transmission and distribution planning and operations/maintenance.

Specific Competencies

• Understanding of the Zambian Power System
• Understanding of the SAPP interconnected power system
• Power system modelling. Knowledge on the development of electricity tariffs
• Ability to undertake power system modelling using ETAP, Dig SILENT, or PSS/E
• Financial modelling
• Knowledge of the Zambian Grid Code (Transmission and Distribution), Electricity Act, Energy policy
• Microsoft Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project

Applicants are requested to provide daytime contact numbers and accessible email addresses. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.