Assignment Details
Our client, an Indian multinational conglomerate renowned for its operations in infrastructure, is seeking an experienced Project Development Lead – South to drive the development of wind, solar, and hybrid renewable energy projects across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The role involves identifying, evaluating, and securing project sites, ensuring regulatory and land acquisition compliance, and managing stakeholder coordination to make projects shovel-ready for execution. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of land policies, connectivity approvals, and hybrid project development.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Site Identification & Project Pipeline Development
- Identify and evaluate new and hybrid renewable energy project sites across North & West India, ensuring alignment with company criteria on wind speeds, solar irradiance, and grid connectivity.
- Conduct on-ground site visits and assessments for land acquisition feasibility and power evacuation potential.
- Work with internal teams to shortlist sites based on resource assessment, land availability, and infrastructure proximity.
2. Land Acquisition & Due Diligence
- Lead the end-to-end land acquisition process, including negotiations with landowners, brokers, and facilitators to secure sites.
- Conduct legal, technical, and commercial due diligence on land parcels, ensuring compliance with local regulations and bankability for financing.
- Manage documentation for mutation, land diversion, and lease registrations to ensure seamless project execution.
3. Regulatory & Policy Compliance
- Evaluate and stay updated on state-level land and renewable energy policies for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
- Ensure compliance with state and central regulations related to land acquisition, environmental clearances, and grid connectivity.
- Engage with KREDL, NREDCAP, TGREDCO, TANGEDCO, and other state agencies for obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
4. Power Evacuation & Connectivity Approvals
- Work closely with Power Evacuation and Connectivity to assess power evacuation feasibility and grid interconnection requirements, ensuring projects have access to suitable transmission infrastructure.
- Liaise with CTU, STUs, SLDCs, and government agencies to secure grid connectivity approvals.
- Work with internal teams and external consultants to facilitate load flow studies and transmission network due diligence.
5. Financial & Commercial Evaluations
- Develop detailed business cases and costing to assess the commercial viability of land acquisition and project development.
- Support in negotiating optimal commercial terms, contracts, and development agreements with vendors, landowners, and government agencies.
- Ensure that all land acquisition costs, regulatory fees, and infrastructure development costs are accounted for in financial planning.
6. Stakeholder Management & Vendor Coordination
- Build and maintain relationships with government authorities, landowners, developers, and local communities to facilitate smooth project execution.
- Identify and engage with reliable land aggregators, EPC contractors, consultants, and legal advisors to streamline project development.
- Coordinate with the construction and execution teams to ensure all pre-construction requirements are met before handing over projects for execution.
7. Permits, Approvals & Risk Management
- Plan and track project approvals, ensuring timely submission of applications and follow-ups with government bodies.
- Identify development risks, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure regulatory compliance to de-risk projects.
- Ensure all land and permits are bankable and compliant with Indian and international lending requirements to support project financing.
Skills Required
Qualifications & Experience:
- Education: LLB / B.Tech / BE / M.Tech in Electrical, Civil, Renewable Energy, or related fields.
- Experience: 15+ years in large-scale renewable energy project development (solar, wind, hybrid).
- Proven track record in land acquisition, regulatory approvals, and project due diligence.
- Strong understanding of state-level land policies and renewable energy regulations in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
- Experience in grid connectivity, transmission planning, and evacuation approvals.
- Familiarity with CERC, SERC, and SLDC regulations governing renewable energy projects.
- Strong negotiation skills and stakeholder management experience with government agencies, landowners, and developers.
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in Kannada and Telugu (preferred).
Key Competencies:
- Renewable Energy Project Development
- Land Acquisition & Legal Due Diligence
- Grid Connectivity & Power Evacuation
- Regulatory & Policy Compliance
- Financial & Commercial Evaluations
- Stakeholder & Vendor Management
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation Strategies
- Government & Community Engagement
Share
6 month(s)
15+ years 
On-Site
