Senior Offshore Windfarm Controller in Lowestoft

The Wind Farm Controller will be responsible for ensuring that all necessary conditions are satisfied before staff can commence transit to the work site, e.g. work orders are in place and staff are competent/authorised to undertake work. The Wind Farm Controller will support site operations by managing and coordinating the safe, efficient and cost-effective transfer of personnel and equipment from the onshore base to the offshore work sites (and vice versa) via marine vessels, overseeing sea and weather conditions within acceptable parameters.

The Wind Farm Controller will be responsible for the remote monitoring and operation of turbine status via SCADA to identify any issues that require corrective action. The Wind Farm Controller will act as Operational Controller under the main contractors WTSR’s, managing the transfer of control of assets after performing due diligent checks on authorisations, paperwork, and team make-ups. The Wind Farm Controller will be working under site approved HV Safety Rules (HVSR), solely responsible for managing and coordinating any associated HV works ensuring safety from the system is always applied.

What you’ll be doing

• HV management of the Wind Farm:
  • Perform the role of Control Person under the High Voltage Safety Rules up to 66kV - CP3 level (cross boundary) or equivalent as per site HVSR’s.
  • Support Outage planning together with the Senior Authorized Persons and the Deputy Site Managers at site.
  • Work effectively within site boundaries and establish good communications consulting with Control Persons from other networks and boundaries.
  • Prepare switching schedules and reconfigurations of windfarm to allow conducting of HV Switching operations.
  • Coordinate with Whitelee control centre, site SAP if HV switching is required and site asset integrity team for any related technical support of HV apparatus and protection systems.
  • Conduct HV switching operations.
• Offshore work coordination:
  • Manage activities related to the transfer of personnel and equipment by vessels (or equivalent) to ensure that this is carried out in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner.
  • Always ensuring approved permits are in place for planned activities, liaising with the site Technical Planner for support.
  • Support the planning of work schedules to optimize use of logistics.
  • Monitor weather conditions and establish access parameters taking account of weather forecasts, sea conditions and light conditions to ensure consistent go, no go and stand-down decisions are made in order to ensure safe transit and access to work sites can be achieved.
  • Organise vessel audits to ensure compliance of operators.
  • Initiate and coordinate the project emergency response plan.
  • Liaise with ABP Lowestoft to progress/control port manoeuvres.
  • Ensure adherence to all H&S procedures associated with maritime/offshore working.
  • Ensure personnel going offshore are suitably qualified and hold all the necessary certification.
  • Coordinate all marine traffic in the site, and vessels transiting between site and main port.
  • Monitor all vessel and personnel movements offshore by use of Personnel Tracking System (PTS) and Vessel Tracking System (VTS), guaranteeing the location of all personnel offshore is known should an emergency situation arise.
• Wind Turbine Management:
  • Act as Operational Controller under the main contractors WTSR’s (Wind turbine safety rules).
  • Monitor WTG SCADA and act upon alarms/issues where they arise to ensure efficient response times are achieved and generation maximised, liaising with site Asset integrity team for support.
• Associated Wind Farm Controller Training:
  • Depending on HV experience and initial assessment, the Wind Farm Controller will be placed under a training path towards achieving authorizations to manage High Voltage Operations and act as Control Person up to 66kV.
  • The Wind Farm Controller will be placed under a training path program and assigned/shadow a HV authorised site mentor working to a programme to achieve Control Person authorization up to 66kV CP3 level (cross boundary) or equivalent under Site HV Safety Rules.
  • Wind Farm Controller will conduct a bespoke marine training competency pack and depending on marine experience will also look to achieve onsite training gaining relevant experience, perform any associated external training that includes emergency response, and any applicable marine training proposed by site management team.
• Other duties:
  • Support the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, operating systems and associated tools to facilitate the smooth operation of day-to-day offshore logistics.
  • Regularly report on defined KPIs through the Company standard systems.
  • Supply data to assist in the short- and long-term maintenance planning process.
  • Regularly update management on site activities to keep them informed of any issues/challenges experienced.
  • Maximise offshore H&S performance by complying with all applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures and through the reporting and rectification of any non-conformances.
  • Effective and efficient operation of offshore logistics in cooperation with Siemens and other associated contractors.
  • Optimise operational expenditure through efficient and safe marine control procedures.
  • Assist Deputy Site Management in relation to daily issues as well as daily, weekly and monthly reporting.

What you’ll bring

• Ideally experienced previously working as a control room operator conducting HV switching operations and associated switching schedules.
• Previously authorizations under High Voltage Safety Rules as either a Control Person or SAP.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems, WTGs, HV equipment substations auxiliary equipment.
• Experienced in working with safe systems of work (WTSR, HVSR).
• Previous experience working in the offshore wind industry or industry with similar operational requirements and safety challenges (e.g. Oil & Gas).
• Offshore marine or helicopter coordination experience is desirable but not mandatory as training could be provided.
• Experience with VHF radio telecommunication systems.
• Have strong H&S experience and knowledge, ideally within the offshore working environment.
• Excellent communications skills enabling you to communicate your messages smoothly and efficiently to stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Have project planning or equivalent experience.
• High level IT knowledge.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn.
• Commitment and enthusiasm for the role, working on your own initiative.
• Respectful to internal and external customers.
• Pro-active and diligent approach.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work within international and multidisciplinary team.
• Flexible towards the operations at site, adaptable to change.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow.

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Schemes
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why ScottishPower

ScottishPower is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. With a commitment to generate all of our energy from renewable resources and a drive to create the energy infrastructure of the future, we’re at the forefront of the journey to Net Zero and investing over £6m every working day to make this happen. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

ScottishPower is committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.