Senior Manager (AC Specialist )-Solar O&M

Role Type: Technical Specialist (AC, EHV, Protection & Switchyard)

1. Job Summary

The Senior Manager – AC Specialist will act as the central technical authority for all AC-side systems across the company's solar power plants (33 kV / 66 kV / 132 kV / 220 kV / 400 kV).

The role involves providing expert support in EHV substations, power transformers, IDTs, line bays, switchyard equipment, protection & relay coordination, grid compliance, and utility interactions.

This role will operate from the Head Office and provide remote as well as on-site guidance to ensure reliability, safety, compliance, and maximum uptime.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Expertise – AC / EHV Systems

• Provide expert support for 220 kV & 400 kV switchyards, transmission lines, GIS/AIS equipment, CT/PT, circuit breakers, isolators, LA, CVT, wave traps etc.
• Lead technical evaluation, diagnostics, and troubleshooting of Power Transformers / IDTs, OLTC, bushings, NGR/NER, earthing, cooling systems, and protection schemes.
• Review and optimise protection coordination, relay settings, fault level studies, and zone protection for IDT, feeders, line bays & busbars.
• Review and validate all EHV drawings, SLDs, protection logics, relay setting sheets, and system configurations.

B. Operational Excellence & Monitoring

• Analyse alarms, relay events, and disturbance records (DR/COMTRADE) and guide site teams for corrective actions.
• Ensure continuous monitoring of EHV substation health and provide guidance for predictive & condition-based maintenance.
• Drive improvement in availability, reliability, and AC system performance across all plants.
• Evaluate health of switchyard assets through testing: TFRA, SFRA, oil analysis, IR/PIT, CB timings, relay testing, CT/PT testing etc.

C. Compliance & Grid Coordination

• Ensure compliance with CEA, CERC, SERC, IEGC, and SLDC/ RLDC norms for grid connectivity, metering, protection, and reporting.
• Handle interactions with STU/CTU, DISCOM, SLDC/RLDC and other statutory bodies on all AC/EHV aspects.
• Review grid-related issues such as tripping, protection maloperations, voltage/frequency issues, and coordinate solutions.

D. Support to Sites & Internal Teams

• Provide daily technical guidance to site O&M teams for all AC-side faults, abnormalities, and outages.
• Support sites during shutdown planning, safety clearances, energisation, and major testing activities.
• Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) of major events like transformer failures, breaker faults, line trips etc.
• Train site teams on AC systems, switchyard safety, relay logic, equipment protection, and crisis handling.

E. Vendor, OEM & Contractor Management

• Coordinate with OEMs for transformers, switchyard equipment, protection relays, and testing agencies.
• Review AMC proposals, service reports, FAT/SAT documents and validate OEM recommendations.
• Ensure quality and compliance of spares, tools & test kits for AC/EHV systems.

F. Documentation, Reporting & SOP Development

• Prepare and maintain SOPs, PM checklists, switching procedures, LOTO guidelines, and test procedures.
• Review technical reports, tripping analysis, event logs, relay histories, and performance dashboards.
• Prepare MIS, monthly O&M reports, transformer health summaries, and switchyard audit reports.

G. Budgeting & Planning

• Prepare annual O&M budgets for switchyard, EHV equipment, and testing activities.
• Plan for critical spares, refurbishment, and life extension of AC/EHV assets.
• Identify capex requirements for ageing equipment and performance improvement.

H. Safety & Quality

• Ensure highest standards of electrical safety, LOTO, PTW and statutory compliance at all sites.
• Conduct remote and periodic on-site audits of switchyard assets and safety practices.

3. Required Qualifications & Experience

• B.Tech / B.E. in Electrical Engineering.
• 10–18 years of experience in O&M of EHV substation systems in solar/IPP/utility sector.
• Hands-on experience in 220 kV / 400 kV AIS/GIS operations, transformer testing, relay coordination, and grid interface.
• Strong knowledge of Numerical Relays (Siemens, ABB, SEL, GE, Schneider etc.).
• Expertise in CEA/CEA/IEGC/SERC regulations and grid connectivity requirements.
• Experience in incident analysis, DR interpretation, and protection audits.
• Ability to lead and mentor site O&M teams across multiple locations.

4. Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication & coordination abilities with internal teams and utilities.
• Expertise in preparing technical reports and RCA documentation.
• Leadership skills with ability to manage multiple plants and priorities.
• High commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

5. Preferred Certifications (Optional but Advantageous)

• Protection Relay Testing Certification
• High Voltage/EHV Switching Authorization
• Substation Automation System (SAS) Training
• Safety Certifications (NEBOSH/IOSH)
• Condition Monitoring Certifications