1.  JOB DETAILS:

Position Title:

Power Plant Operator

Reports to:

Shift Charge Engineer

Department:

Operations

Hay Level:

HL 19

Location

Kathu - Northern Cape

2. PREAMBLE:

Kathu Operations is a 100 MW greenfield Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project with parabolic through technology and equipped with a molten salt storage system that allows 4.5 hours of thermal energy storage and thus limits the intermittent nature of solar energy.

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. JOB FUNCTIONS

• The Power Plant Operator (PPO) is a member of the Operations Department and plays a critical role in the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant. The PPO is responsible for monitoring, operating, and controlling plant equipment and systems to ensure continuous electricity generation while maintaining compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.

2. PURPOSE

• To safely operate and monitor all plant systems in accordance with approved operating procedures, operational instructions, and Company standards.
• To achieve optimum plant availability, reliability, and electricity generation through efficient operation of all plant systems.
• To monitor plant operating conditions, identify abnormalities, and take corrective actions to maintain safe and stable operations.
• To perform routine field inspections, equipment monitoring, and operational checks while ensuring accurate recording of plant operating data.
• To support planned maintenance, plant start-ups, shutdowns, commissioning activities, and emergency response.
• To identify operational defects and raise notifications through the SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) system.
• To ensure compliance with all HSE, environmental, quality, and operational procedures while promoting continuous improvement.

3. MAIN ACTIVITIES

Solar Field Operations

• Monitor and operate Solar Field equipment to ensure maximum solar energy collection and plant efficiency.
• Perform routine inspections of collector loops, mirrors, receiver tubes, HTF piping, valves, expansion vessels, and associated equipment.
• Monitor Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) temperatures, pressures, and flow rates, ensuring operation within prescribed limits.
• Operate HTF pumps, isolation valves, drain systems, expansion systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections for HTF leaks, damaged insulation, mirror conditions, and equipment abnormalities.
• Perform HTF charging, draining, sampling, and flushing activities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Support mirror washing operations and ensure operational readiness of cleaning equipment.
• Report defects and initiate SAP notifications for equipment requiring maintenance.
• Assist maintenance personnel by isolating equipment using Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) and Permit-to-Work (PTW) procedures.
• Participate in Solar Field start-up, shutdown, commissioning, and emergency response activities.

Thermal Energy Storage (TES)

• Operate and monitor the Thermal Energy Storage system to ensure efficient charging and discharging of thermal energy.
• Monitor molten salt storage tanks, pumps, heat exchangers, valves, piping systems, and associated instrumentation.
• Monitor storage tank levels, temperatures, pressures, and process flow to maintain stable plant operation.
• Operate TES circulation pumps and associated auxiliary equipment during plant start-up and shutdown.
• Perform routine inspections for leaks, insulation damage, abnormal vibration, unusual noises, and equipment defects.
• Monitor freeze protection systems and ensure molten salt remains within safe operating temperatures.
• Assist with equipment isolation, draining, venting, and preparation for maintenance activities.
• Record operational parameters and report abnormalities through SAP PM.
• Participate in operational testing, commissioning, and emergency response activities.

Water Treatment Plant (WTP)

• Operate and monitor Water Treatment Plant systems to ensure continuous supply of treated water to the CSP process.
• Monitor Reverse Osmosis (RO), Demineralisation (DM), filtration systems, dosing systems, storage tanks, and associated equipment.
• Monitor water quality parameters including conductivity, pH, silica, hardness, dissolved oxygen, and chemical dosing rates.
• Perform routine plant chemistry sampling and testing in accordance with plant procedures.
• Prepare, handle, transfer, and dose operational chemicals safely using approved procedures and personal protective equipment.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other approved lifting equipment for transporting and handling treatment chemicals and consumables.
• Load, unload, store, and safely lift chemical containers in accordance with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and HSE requirements.
• Monitor chemical inventory levels and report replenishment requirements.
• Perform routine inspections of pumps, tanks, dosing skids, filters, valves, and piping systems.
• Raise SAP notifications for operational defects and equipment abnormalities.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation relating to chemical storage, handling, and spill prevention.

Balance of Plant (BoP)

• Operate and monitor the Steam Generation System, Steam Turbine Generator, condenser, cooling systems, compressed air systems, fire protection systems, auxiliary boilers, and other Balance of Plant equipment.
• Monitor plant operating parameters including steam pressure, steam temperature, turbine performance, condenser vacuum, lubrication systems, and generator auxiliary systems.
• Operate pumps, compressors, cooling towers, HVAC systems, diesel generators, air compressors, and auxiliary utilities.
• Perform routine inspections of rotating equipment, piping, valves, heat exchangers, lubrication systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Carry out plant start-up, synchronization support, load changes, and shutdown activities in accordance with approved operating procedures.
• Monitor alarms, investigate abnormal operating conditions, and take corrective actions within authorized operating limits.
• Perform equipment switching, isolation, venting, draining, and restoration activities for maintenance support.
• Record operational data, complete shift logs, and prepare operational reports.
• Report equipment defects and raise SAP notifications where maintenance intervention is required.
• Support maintenance teams during troubleshooting, commissioning, functional testing, and plant outages.
• Participate in emergency response and plant recovery activities following trips or operational disturbances.

4 .HEALTH & SAFETY

• The Job Holder will work in a controlled hazardous environment.

Work Levels and Conditions and Risks:

• Work Level 4: the tasks that he/she performs as part of their daily work activities represent a risk of  accidents of medium kind that can generate permanent consequences (burns, mutilations, irreversible wounds);

Exposure to Risks:

• Traffic/automobile accidents, ergonomic problems and accidents;
• Risks inherent to the job of the Power Plant Operator while performing inspections, site visits, operations and maintenance activities, etc.

Recommended Personal Protective Equipment:

• The Job Holder is entitled to apply PPE such as hard hat/safety helmet, ear protection (plugs or ear muffs),safety glasses, safety shoes, dust mask, cotton coveralls, safety gloves, respiratory mask. Such PPE will aid in preventing hazards that are inherent to the job.

6. COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Job Holder will work and communicate with:

• Internal: CEO, Heads of departments in Kathu Operations and workforces;
• External: Contractors, Services providers, Energy regulators.

7. JOB DIMENSIONS

Number of staff supervised:

Number of Direct Reports:

0

Position titles of Direct Reports:

0

Number of indirect Reports:

0

Positions that report indirectly to this role

8. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (Matric) with Mathematics and Physical Science;
• Occupational Certificate: Power Plant Operator or equivalent qualification recognised and regulated by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO);
• National Diploma or National Certificate in Process Operations, Power Plant Operations, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or an equivalent technical qualification will be an advantage;
• A Valid driver's licence;

Experience:

• At least 2–5 years' experience operating a utility-scale power plant or continuous process plant, preferably within a CSP, thermal, renewable energy, petrochemical, mining, or manufacturing environment;
• Experience in operating and monitoring plant process equipment from both the field and in coordination with the Control Room Operator;
• Experience operating auxiliary plant systems, including pumps, valves, compressors, heat exchangers, cooling systems, and rotating equipment;
• Experience in plant start-up, shutdown, equipment isolation, and normal operational switching;
• Experience performing routine plant inspections, operational rounds, and equipment condition monitoring;
• Experience in handling and transferring industrial chemicals safely in accordance with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and company procedures;
• Experience operating forklifts or other material handling equipment for transporting chemicals, consumables, and operational materials will be an advantage;
• Experience working under Permit-to-Work (PTW), Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), and isolation procedures;
• Experience using SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) to report equipment defects and create notifications will be an advantage;
• Basic knowledge of plant water chemistry, Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) systems, Thermal Energy Storage (TES), steam generation processes, and Balance of Plant equipment will be advantageous;
• Experience responding to plant alarms, operational abnormalities, and emergency situations;

Behavioral:

• Highly proactive and self-motivated;
• Must be a strong team player and good interpersonal skills;
• Must be able to think clearly and respond calmly in emergency situations;
• Must have excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary operations team;
• Willingness to work rotating shifts including weekends and public holidays;
• Physically fit and capable of working in outdoor environments, confined spaces, elevated work areas, and varying weather conditions;
• Basic understanding of thermodynamics, steam generation, heat transfer, process chemistry, mechanical systems, and electrical principles applicable to CSP plant operations;
• Hands on background in water treatment equipment maintenance as related to high pressure boilers, desalination, cooling water systems and water purification equipment;
• Working knowledge of Environmental Regulations as they pertain to the operations and maintenance of an energy generating facility;
• Commitment to continuous learning and participation in operational training, competency assessments, PTW and continuous improvement initiatives;
• Ability to perform First Aid and CPR.

Language:

• English Language: excellent communication skills both written and verbal.

Computer:

• Computer literate: must have a some degree of skill in Business Computing Applications such as Databases, Word Processors, Spreadsheets, PowerPoint and Maintenance Management System and SAP-PM and be able to write technical reports.

Remuneration:

• The compensation will be market related

Additional Information:

• Incomplete CV’s and/or applications will not be considered. Your CV should be accompanied

by your supporting documents.

Closing Date: 31  August 2026.

• Please use this link to apply: Our vacancies | ENGIE (click on: OFFRES D’EMPLOI)

By submitting any personal information to the Company, the candidate unconditionally and voluntarily, consents to the processing of the submitted personal information for any and all purposes related to recruitment.