Renewables Consents Expert

**Help us make a big green dent in the universe. **We're on a mission to drive the global renewable energy revolution, and we need loads more people to help us make our vision a reality.

Octopus Energy Generation exists to transform the world of renewable generation. We’re already working hard to change the future of energy across the world - from large solar and wind energy projects which harness the abundant natural resources we have both on land and at sea; to more localised people-led renewable generation in the form of the Octopus Fan Club and the Collective - we’re committed to driving the green energy revolution faster than ever before.

We are moving to a world that is increasingly electric, in more ways than one. We know the future’s green; and we need more clean, connected, sustainable energy generation to power our modern lifestyles. The heat in our homes and the energy in our cars will all come from electricity. But there is one fundamental problem. The current system for enabling new renewable generation does not match the timescales in which we need it. Wind farms can take anywhere from 4 to 7 years to be built, hamstrung by the inefficiencies in the system and an outdated approach to development.

We are on the cusp of a global energy transition. With the energy crisis driving sky-high wholesale energy prices, customers are bearing the brunt of the inefficiencies in the energy system. It’s never been more critical that we dramatically overhaul where our energy comes from. Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy generation, has the ability to be the quickest deployed, can play a central role in energy security and will be the key component in ambitions to reach net zero.

Using a tech-led approach, we’ve identified a huge opportunity to develop new ‘people driven’ onshore wind projects. Our Fan Club proposition - where customers living locally to a Fan (wind turbine) can access cheaper energy when the wind is blowing - has been pivotal in showcasing the benefits that local generation can bring to nearby communities. In response, we've had over 16,000 communities reach out wanting a Fan in their area. Our data-dating platform Winder (Tinder for Wind) has also identified land with the potential for over 2.3GW of new British onshore wind, all with strong local support.

We’re looking for curious and tenacious individuals who aren’t afraid to question the status-quo as we build a new model focused purely on delivering the cheapest energy possible for customers. Your role will be part of a team that is tasked to deliver onshore wind projects in this new landscape and work on overhauling systemic inefficiencies at all stages of development.

**What you'll do**:

- You will lead all the planning work required to gain approval for the new onshore wind turbine sites that will showcase the Octopus Energy Generation vision
- You will be responsible for carrying out land assessment and pre-planning scoping in relation to onshore wind. To do this you will undertake site visits with specialists consultants, the wider development team and others to help build wind sites rapidly and at scale
- You will review local and national planning policies, including local development plans, masterplans and main issues reports, and digest the latest policy and influences in the world of renewable energy - all to help define Octopus Energy Generation’s best practice for renewable energy development. With our wind farm in a year ambitions in mind, you will identify and champion better ways in which the planning system could support faster planning approvals for onshore wind
- You will liaise with local planning authorities, relevant statutory bodies, landowners and specialist consultants, and be able to monitor and respond to planning notifications received, making appropriate representations to local planning authorities where required

**What you'll need**:

- Excellent experience in developing projects, having delivered positive planning experiences, either on the commercial side or from a role in a local planning authority
- Knowledge in renewable energy planning and development, using innovation to ensure best practice
- An ability to manage diverse data sets to create a clear narrative
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build long-lasting collaborative and productive relationships
- A self-starter attitude. There is no shortage of things to do and opportunities to shine, you don’t hesitate to identify what is important and make it happen. There will be plenty of support from the team but you will own it
- Experience of England’s renewable planning system as it relates to onshore wind would be a preference
- A background in disruptive environments i.e. technology or fin-tech is beneficial

**If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.