JOB DESCRIPTION – OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M) MANAGER
Industry: Renewable Energy – Solar Power & Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Position: Operations & Maintenance Manager
Department: Project Operations
Reporting To: Project Head / Chief Operating Officer
Work Location: Jadcherla
1. JOB PURPOSE
The O&M Manager will be responsible for overseeing the overall operations and maintenance of the solar power plant integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The role focuses on maximizing power generation, ensuring optimal battery performance, maintaining plant availability, implementing effective maintenance practices, ensuring operational safety and regulatory compliance, and controlling operating costs.
The position requires strong technical expertise in solar PV systems, battery storage technologies, electrical infrastructure and plant operations, along with the ability to manage site teams, contractors and OEM service providers.
2. KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES. Solar Power Plant Operations
- Manage day-to-day operations of the solar power plant to achieve targeted energy generation.
- Monitor plant performance indicators, including Performance Ratio (PR), Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) and equipment availability.
- Oversee SCADA systems, solar inverters, transformers, weather monitoring stations and associated plant equipment.
- Identify generation losses, equipment failures and performance deviations and implement corrective measures.
- Ensure effective preventive and predictive maintenance of solar modules, inverters and electrical systems.
- Supervise solar module cleaning, vegetation management and general site maintenance activities.
- Coordinate grid connectivity, power evacuation and operational requirements with DISCOM/SLDC authorities.
B. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Operations
- Manage the overall operation and maintenance of the Battery Energy Storage System.
- Monitor battery charging and discharging cycles in accordance with approved energy management strategies.
- Track critical battery parameters, including State of Charge (SOC), State of Health (SOH), temperature and voltage.
- Monitor and ensure the effective functioning of Battery Management System (BMS), Power Conversion System (PCS) and Energy Management System (EMS).
- Optimize battery utilization and energy efficiency while minimizing battery degradation.
- Monitor round-trip efficiency, auxiliary power consumption and battery system availability.
- Ensure proper functioning of battery cooling systems, HVAC, fire detection and fire suppression systems.
- Coordinate with battery OEMs for technical troubleshooting, warranty claims, performance monitoring and maintenance support.
- Maintain battery operating records and ensure compliance with OEM specifications and operating limits.
C. Maintenance & Asset Management
- Develop and implement annual and monthly preventive maintenance schedules.
- Supervise maintenance of transformers, switch gear, protection systems, HT/LT electrical equipment and transmission infrastructure.
- Maintain adequate inventory of critical spares, tools and consumables.
- Coordinate with EPC contractors, OEMs and third-party O&M service providers.
- Ensure timely rectification of equipment failures and minimize plant downtime.
- Maintain equipment history, breakdown reports, maintenance logs and technical records.
- Identify asset replacement requirements and recommend long-term maintenance and asset management strategies.
D. Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable CEA regulations, electrical safety standards and grid codes.
- Implement safety procedures for high-voltage electrical systems and battery storage installations.
- Ensure strict implementation of Permit to Work (PTW), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and electrical isolation procedures.
- Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, toolbox talks and emergency response drills.
- Ensure fire safety measures and preparedness for battery-related emergencies, including thermal runaway risks.
- Maintain statutory inspection records and coordinate with relevant regulatory and government authorities.
E. Commercial & Financial Management
- Prepare annual O&M budgets and monitor expenditure against approved budgets.
- Optimize operational costs without compromising plant reliability, performance or safety.
- Monitor auxiliary power consumption, energy losses and overall plant efficiency.
- Review EPC and O&M contractor performance against contractual obligations, SLAs and service guarantees.
- Track generation shortfalls, plant availability guarantees and performance-related penalties.
- Evaluate battery replacement, augmentation and equipment upgrade requirements and submit recommendations to management.
F. MIS, Reporting & Documentation
- Prepare and submit daily, weekly and monthly plant generation and operational reports.
- Monitor and report solar generation, energy export, plant availability and performance ratio.
- Prepare BESS performance reports covering charging/discharging cycles, SOC, SOH and round-trip efficiency.
- Report equipment breakdowns, downtime, auxiliary consumption, energy losses and maintenance expenditure.
- Analyse operational performance and recommend measures to improve plant efficiency and profitability.
- Maintain accurate technical, operational, maintenance and statutory documentation.
3. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Key Performance Area - Performance Indicators
Solar Generation - Achievement against approved generation targets.
Plant Availability - Achievement of agreed plant availability targets.
Performance Ratio - Achievement against agreed PR targets.
BESS Availability - Battery system availability as per OEM/contractual requirements.
Battery Efficiency - Round-trip efficiency and energy utilisation.
Battery Health - Monitoring of SOH and battery degradation.
Breakdown Management - Minimum equipment downtime and timely breakdown resolution.
Preventive Maintenance - Timely completion of scheduled maintenance activities.
Cost Management - O&M expenditure within approved budget.
Safety - Zero major safety incidents and adherence to safety procedures.
Regulatory Compliance - Timely completion of statutory inspections and regulatory requirements.
Project Details & Location Requirement
- Project Capacity: 100 MW Solar Power Project integrated with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
- Work Requirement: The candidate will be required to work full-time at the project site and handle end-to-end operations and maintenance activities.
- Location Preference: Candidates currently residing in Jadcherla or nearby locations will be preferred.
- Site Presence: This is a site-based position and requires regular physical presence at the project location.
4. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
- B.E./B.Tech in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Electronics Engineering.
- Specialization or certification in Renewable Energy, Solar Power or Battery Energy Storage Systems will be an added advantage.
Professional Experience
- 5–8 years of relevant experience in solar power plant operations and maintenance.
- Experience in managing utility-scale solar power projects.
- 2–3 years of exposure to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is preferred.
- Hands-on experience in SCADA, BMS, EMS, PCS and power evacuation systems.
- Proven experience in managing site operations, technical teams, contractors and OEM service providers.
5. TECHNICAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong knowledge of solar PV plant operations and performance monitoring.
- Practical understanding of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Knowledge of Battery Management Systems (BMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Power Conversion Systems (PCS).
- Experience in SCADA and remote plant monitoring systems.
- Knowledge of HT/LT electrical systems, transformers, switch gear and grid connectivity.
- Expertise in preventive and predictive maintenance practices.
- Understanding of electrical safety, fire protection and emergency response systems.
- Ability to prepare MIS reports, analyse plant performance and manage operational budgets.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, team management and coordination skills.
6. KEY MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS
The O&M Manager will be accountable for:
- Ensuring safe, reliable and uninterrupted operation of the solar power plant and BESS.
- Maximizing solar energy generation and optimizing battery charging and discharging operations.
- Maintaining battery health and minimizing degradation to maximize asset life.
- Achieving agreed plant and BESS availability and operational performance targets.
- Ensuring effective maintenance planning and timely resolution of equipment breakdowns.
- Controlling O&M expenditure while maintaining operational efficiency and safety.
- Ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements.
- Providing accurate operational reports and performance insights to management for effective decision-making.
Pay: ₹80,000.00 - ₹90,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
