Associate, Project Development, Central

$110,000 - $145,000/Yr

Clearway Energy - Houston, TX

Part-time - Mid Level

Houston, TX

Utilities

About the position

The Associate, Project Development at Clearway Energy is responsible for managing and supporting the development of renewable energy projects across the Central region of the U.S. This role involves collaboration with various teams throughout the project lifecycle, from origination to commissioning, ensuring successful project execution and commercial operation. The Associate will leverage their experience in renewable energy project development to navigate complex permitting processes, manage project budgets, and engage with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support the development of complex large-scale renewable energy projects from initial project proposal and siting, through to permitting, design, interconnection, approval, contracting, financing, and handover to construction.
• Identify, propose, and implement creative or alternative project development approaches that reduce exposure to permitting risks, optimize development schedules, or create additional project value.
• Support or manage due diligence on development-stage project and portfolio acquisitions, including comparison and prioritization of multiple opportunities based on common siting, permitting, interconnection, power marketing, and other project metrics.
• Support the administration of development services agreements with local/regional development partners; manage a network of local project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the internal Land Acquisition team to perform and/or manage third-party-led land campaigns to secure adequate site control to support generation and interconnection facilities.
• Collaborate with the engineering team and external consultants to evaluate site layouts and constraints, technology options, schedule implications, interconnection applications, and studies.
• Coordinate and provide input to project interconnection requests, load-flow and congestion studies, and other necessary aspects of securing project transmission.
• Support the negotiation and diligence of critical project contracts and agreements including PPAs, GIAs, Turbine Supply Agreements, and EPC contracts.
• Support projects through financing diligence efforts to support obtaining cash equity, tax equity, and/or project debt commitments before the start of construction, and at term-conversion.
• Coordinate and strategize with the Origination team on the marketing of development-stage projects for new power purchase and offtake agreements, including submitting responses to Request for Proposals (RFPs).
• Create and manage project budgets and schedules, including navigating internal project stage-gate reviews and investment decisions.
• Help prepare and present materials describing project development opportunities to management.
• Maintain industry relationships/contacts and current knowledge of market drivers and industry trends to facilitate proactive development posture and early-mover positioning as opportunities materialize.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, economics, finance, environmental science, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 2 years of applicable experience in the renewable energy industry in the U.S., with direct experience and competence in full life-cycle development of utility-scale solar and/or wind projects.
• Understanding and ability to navigate complex permitting pathways for energy projects in the eastern United States.
• Experience managing project schedules and project budgets, as well as understanding key project value levers (commercial, financial, etc.).
• Experience and familiarity with all facets of land development: landowner engagement and negotiation/contracting, title resolution, subdivision, agricultural land use/water restrictions, land (ALTA) surveys, GIS, and other real estate elements as required.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced study in business, finance, law, environmental science, or public policy is highly preferred.
• Battery storage experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of the PJM, NYISO, and/or ISO-NE power and transmission markets is preferred.

Benefits

• Commuter assistance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Adoption assistance
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching