Levanta Renewables is a renewable energy developer and independent power producer in Southeast Asia. We develop, build and deliver renewable energy solutions that work for each country in support of its transition to renewable energy, and do so in a sustainable manner while helping local communities. With a shared goal towards helping Southeast Asia realize its energy transition and net zero targets, Levanta is backed by Actis, a leading sustainable infrastructure private equity firm. We are developing 1.5 GW of renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia through M&A and greenfield development of C&I and utility scale projects.

Due to business expansion, we are actively seeking a Country Manager to be based in Bangkok, Thailand to join our Business Development team. This role reports to the Head of Business Development.

General

• Work closely with the Group Head of Business Development to manage the day-to-day running of the Thailand business requirements and ensure successful implementation capturing growth opportunities in conjunction with other leadership functions within the Platform.
• Ensure continuous improvement of, implementation of, tools and other methods of identifying, monitoring and appraising business opportunities.
• Support the Head of Business Development in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with partners, contractors, utilities, community, and other key stakeholders to enable the business to successfully operate.
• Support the Head of Business Development in preparation of weekly and monthly business reports to the CEO and investment Committee providing updates on new business opportunities.
• Build and manage a team of high caliber professionals to deliver the business plan.
• Work with experienced in-house technical team to optimize project development efforts.
• Working in a diverse and outstanding team of professionals.
• Learning opportunities in the renewable energy industry in the Thailand and across Southeast Asia.
• Opportunity to shape and drive our business development initiatives in the Thailand as a starting and key founding member of our local team.

Key responsibilities / Outcomes 1

• Origination, Negotiation, Due-Diligence and Closing.
• Support Levanta to create a 1 GW development pipeline in Thailand, of which 500MW can be executed by 2027 and the rest can serve as a development pipeline for future expansion.
• Ensure Levanta is well known to all the market participants across SE Asian markets to ensure inbound deal flow for both greenfield and brownfield opportunities.
• Form JVs or sign JDAs with local partners or international developers to participate in auctions or new projects; take projects from development stage to auctions from a BD perspective.
• Attend conferences and identify potential opportunities.
• Identify strong potential partners for Levanta and develop relationships.
• Keep up to date with market trends, regulatory developments, auction regimes and identify upcoming opportunities not yet in the market and prepare strategy around how Levanta could capitalize on these.
• Provide inputs and reformations to overall strategy of the business based on market trends and opportunities.
• Keep a clear and transparent record of business development opportunities.
• Lead financial model preparation, incorporating risk analysis based on the PPA framework, submitting auction documents or documents required to get a PPA.
• PPA risk analysis, bankability analysis, competitor landscape mapping, recommending bidding strategies for auctions, gain market intelligence on competitor activity.
• Gather inputs from various teams such as EPC prices, financing costs, O&M costs, project timelines, yield assumptions to analyse the commercial viability of new project sites or submitting bids for auctions.
• Signing and compliance of the PPA and other project documents.
• Preparation of board papers for new bids or devex spend and monitor the same.
• When and where Levanta is executing a project in a consortium, be the Levanta representative in the consortium meetings and keep Levanta’s interests protected.
• Work with M&A, Technical and Analyst team to evaluate commerciality of opportunities and prepare recommendations based on rigorous, fact-based, quantitative analysis.
• Lead on various aspects of diligence such as market reports, power price forecast, tariff setting mechanisms, etc.
• Review, provide guidance and mentor junior team members in evaluation of opportunities.
• Ensure strategic and financial soundness and alignment for any recommendations.
• Lead negotiation of business opportunities with developers and Sellers alongside other team members as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities/ Outcome 2

• Securing offtake agreements and PPA.
• Responsible to secure 500MW of long-term offtake agreements / PPAs each in year 1 and 2 for Levanta’s development pipeline under contract and negotiation.
• Develop a high level of understanding of any grid and transmission issues which could impact the project, including transmission pricing, marketability and ultimately viability.
• Develop an offtake strategy which supports long-term project financing and is in sequence to the development schedule of the project portfolio focusing on the FiT auction (Feed-in Tariff), and Direct PPA markets.
• Provide analysis comparing pros and cons of potential offtake strategies including FiT auction and Direct PPA, considering the location of the project, potential transmission pricing, project schedule, bid requirements, bid bonding requirements and project technology, either wind or solar.
• Develop a deep understanding of the key drivers and portfolio requirements of the Direct PPA participants and have a high level of understanding of the market terms and conditions for offtake agreements.

Key Responsibilities/ Outcome 3

• Stakeholder Engagement, Policy and Regulatory Knowledge Leadership and Advocacy.
• Liaise with ERC, EGAT, PEA, MEA and other government authorities to obtain licenses, permits and land use certificates in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Liaise with EGAT and PEA for various drawings as well as estimate approvals of substation, EHV/HV lines, layouts, GTP of all substation equipment, conductor, civil foundation drawings, structural drawings, tower drawings, profile approval etc.
• Ensure compliance with Company ESG policies in all government relations activities.
• Arrange government meetings / stakeholder meetings to be able to diligence issues pertaining to new auction regimes for utility scale projects or open access / distributed solar projects across Thailand.
• Brief management through regular summary updates on Thailand renewable energy policy and regulatory activity including Power Development Plans, Tariff Scenarios, Auction Mechanisms and Investor Selection Criteria, Grid expansion, PPA and any other changes in wind support policies and decisions that might impact the wind and solar business.
• Represent Company in key industry associations and business forums and manage engagements with key government relations consultants to align national and provincial policy and grid development with renewable industry needs.
• Source and manage consultants for preparation of grid impact studies, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies and other documentation in English and Thai as required for obtaining licenses and permits.
• Ensure compliance with Company ESG policies in all advocacy activities.
• Engage with regulators, offtakes, industry participants, competitors to gain market intelligence and further enhance Levanta’s reputation in the market.
• Champion internal and external communications for Levanta in Thailand, ensuring presentation decks and other relevant marketing assets are superior, effective and are on- brand.
• Represent the company effectively when engaging with external stakeholders.

• Interest in and a strong desire to contribute towards the development of the renewable energy industry.
• At least 7 years of experience in the energy sector including banking, investments, project development, project management or other related fields.
• Ability to manage a diverse team.
• Excellent English written and oral communications skills.
• Proficiency in financial analysis and modelling.
• Proficiency in time management.
• Proficiency in the design and creation of pitchbooks, senior management approval memos and other presentation materials.
• Flexibility to adapt to the rapidly changing market environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Hardworking attitude.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering / economics / business / marketing from a recognized institution.
• 15+ years of experience in business development in the Thailand in power / infrastructure / construction industries, including 3+ years in renewable energy in Thailand.
• Demonstrated track record of success in business development, licensing and permitting.
• Fluency in English and Thai language.
• Relevant prior experience with a renewable energy developer, operator, investment firm or other related company in Thailand.
• Strong interpersonal and team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multifunctional and international teams.
• Team management skills.