Expert in Electricity Demand Planning (SEN)

Job Description

Reporting to: RELP Country Delivery Director and the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and mines (MEPM).

Location: Dakar, Senegal (On-site)

Compensation:Competitive, according to experience

Duration: The assignment will run for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of signature of the contract. Full-time position.

We are seeking an Expert in Electricity Demand Planning to join our dynamic, rapidly growing and innovative organisation.

RELP is an impact-driven, independent, nonprofit organisation that aims to make cheaper and faster deployment of renewable energy in emerging and developing countries. We aspire to increase reliable, affordable and sustainable energy, thereby mitigate climate change.

Our MISSION is to accelerate the transition to clean energy by unlocking renewable energy markets to scalable private investments at low prices, promoting sustainable economic development for the people.

We are very proud of our prominent Board of Advisors, which includes well-known personalities from the global renewable energy, climate, and business sectors. They are: Michael Liebreich, Rachel Kyte, Rebecca Collyer, Angelina Galiteva, David Rogers, Daniel Magallón and Charles Bai Felix Zhang as part of our team and board. Take a look at our website for all the details.

We are funded by philanthropic organisations, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Ballmer Group, European Climate Foundation, and Packard Foundation, IKEA Foundation, Oak Foundation and Good Energies Foundation through Climate Breakthrough.

The candidate’s main focus will be to support the MEPM, through DEPSIE and in collaboration with Senelec, in developing the “Demand Forecasting” component of the first Integrated Least-Cost Plan (Plan Integre a Moindre cout, PIMC), by developing a methodology and tools for disaggregated forecasting (national, regional, by source stations and HTA feeders), while ensuring the transfer of skills to national teams.

If you like challenges, you are passionate about renewable energy and you are looking for a job with a meaningful impact in scaling up clean energy systems in the world while contributing to fighting climate change in a significant way, RELP will be a great fit for you!

How will you contribute?

The Expert in Electricity Demand Planning will be responsible for:

• Supporting the working group dedicated to forecasting demand for the PIMC;
• Analyzing Senelec’s current forecasting tool (LSTM) and proposing extensions to integrate geographical disaggregation;
• Collecting, analyzing, and validating historical consumption data (national, by source station, by region);
• Identifying and collecting relevant auxiliary data (meteorological, demographic, economic, GIS);
• Develop short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasting models with different levels of granularity (national, regional, by source station, by HTA feeder);
• Ensure consistency between disaggregated forecasts and national forecasts;
• Use and train teams on the MAED tool for long-term forecasts;
• Develop different demand growth scenarios (baseline, optimistic, pessimistic) taking into account socio-economic factors and energy policies;
• Document the methodology, assumptions, and results of the forecasts;
• Train MEPM and Senelec teams on demand forecasting tools and methodologies;
• Act as the technical interface between the Demand working group and other PIMC working groups (Production, Transmission, Distribution);
• Contribute to the drafting of the report on electricity demand forecasting within the framework of the PIMC;
• Present the results and recommendations to the PIMC Technical and Management Committees.

Expected deliverables:

• Analysis report on Senelec’s current forecasting tool and recommendations for expansion;
• Data collection and validation report (historical consumption, auxiliary data, GIS data);
• Detailed methodological note on the geographic disaggregation approach to demand;
• Technical documentation of the forecasting models developed (source code, algorithms, assumptions);
• Demand forecasting report including scenarios and results at different levels of detail;
• Training documents and user manuals for MAED tools and developed models;
• Monthly activity report;
• Substantial contribution to the PIMC final report on the “Demand Forecasting” component;
• Monthly activity report and coordination meeting with RELP and MEPM
• Recommendations for sustaining demand forecasting capabilities within the MEPM and Senelec.

What will you bring?

• Minimum Master’s degree (5 years of higher education) in economics, statistics, electrical engineering, energy, data science, or a related field;
• At least 7 years of professional experience in electricity demand forecasting or energy planning;
• Proven mastery of demand forecasting tools (econometric models, machine learning, time series);
• Proven experience with energy planning software, particularly MAED;
• Programming skills (R, Python) for developing and adapting forecasting tools;
• Experience in geographic disaggregation of demand and use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tools would be a major asset;
• Knowledge of electrical systems and their components (generation, transmission, distribution);
• Experience in training and skills transfer to technical teams;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French; fluency in English would be an asset.

Work schedule/expected work dedication?

• Full time position.

Our value proposition?

• Competitive fee.
• International work environment.

Be part of a high-impact project that makes a difference to people and the planet. Develop your knowledge and experience in an excellent work environment and challenging projects. Work and learn from a professional and expert team renowned in the renewable energy field.

Anti-discrimination statement?

RELP is an equal opportunity talent acquisition player. You are welcome no matter where you come from, what you believe, and what you look like. All applicants are considered regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We are interested to see what you can bring to the organisation. We are convinced that our different views, talents, and personalities make us better at understanding ourselves and our partners, and inspire us to think differently.

How to apply?

Send us your resume, and a cover letter to jobs@relp.ngo, indicating the job code (Expert in Electricity Demand Planning- SEN)

About the Organization

Our MISSION is to accelerate the energy transition in emerging and developing countries, promoting sustainable economic development for the people by designing and implementing long-term clean energy programmes that unlock investments at scale.

OUR VALUES

Focus on Implementation: We prioritise translating plans into action. Our strength lies in our ability to execute ideas efficiently and effectively, ensuring that our projects achieve tangible results and make a real impact.

Expertise: Our team has already done the job. We possess extensive knowledge and skills acquired through years of practical experience in the public and private sectors. We are offering others what we would have loved to have had at the beginning of the RenovAr Programme, which we designed and implemented in Argentina when we were part of the national government. We leverage this expertise to deliver high-quality outcomes and drive continuous improvement in all our initiatives.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and forward-thinking to develop new solutions and approaches. Our commitment to innovation ensures that we remain at the forefront of progress, always seeking better ways to address the challenges we face.

Conviction: We are steadfast believers in our cause and dedicated to defending it. The energy transition is a global need, and we have a way to make it happen. Our conviction drives us to persevere in the face of obstacles, advocating passionately for the values and goals we hold dear.