Project Director - CCGT

Project Overview

The Taweelah C Project is a major greenfield development in Abu Dhabi Emirate, designed as one of the region’s most advanced and efficient combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power facilities. With an installed capacity of about 2.6 GW, it is intended to help meet the UAE’s rising electricity needs while supporting high efficiency and reduced emissions through advanced technology.

The project is being delivered with international partners together with Al Jomaih Energy and Water Co. Ltd. (AEW), Sembcorp Utilities Pte. Ltd. (Sembcorp), and TAQA acting as the Project Company. It is positioned as a high-profile infrastructure program that aims to raise the bar for performance, reliability, and sustainability in the regional power sector.

Location: Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The site is approximately 30 to 40 km from Abu Dhabi city.
Duration: 2.5 years.

Role Summary

The Project Director will take overall responsibility for construction delivery on the Taweelah C Power Project, ensuring execution is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The role also involves making sure the asset is delivered in line with contractual obligations and design specifications so it can operate reliably and sustainably throughout the Power Purchase Agreement term.

This position carries accountability for implementing the HSSE program across the Project Company and Owner’s team, building a strong culture around health, safety, security, and environmental performance in line with Project Company and stakeholder expectations. It also requires close monitoring and coordination of multiple contractors at site, including challenging and negotiating with the EPC contractor when needed to protect the Project Company’s interests.

The role includes leading a highly capable team, guiding the Owner’s Engineer, and ensuring that construction proceeds smoothly with the highest standards of HSSE, quality, schedule discipline, and cost control. Strong communication with project partners, local communities, and other external stakeholders is also an important part of the job.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct plant construction activities to ensure delivery meets agreed quality, schedule, and budget commitments.
• Oversee implementation of HSSE requirements both on-site and off-site, and promote a strong safety-first culture.
• Coordinate the work of the Owner’s Engineer, local contractors, authorities, and interface partners.
• Check that the EPC contractor complies with the EPC contract, owner requirements, and applicable international standards.
• Serve as the main coordination point between the off-taker, Owner’s Engineer, EPC contractor, third parties, the operator, and other stakeholders to manage battery limits and tie-ins.
• Synchronize technical and schedule interfaces across contractors so all work remains contract-compliant and aligned to project needs.
• Track engineering, procurement, QA/QC, and Owner’s Engineer activities to ensure engineering packages and procurement items are issued before construction requires them.
• Plan and chair construction and progress meetings with all relevant stakeholders.
• Spot technical deviations, construction risks, and non-conformities, then escalate them to the Project Company EMD with suitable mitigation and recovery actions.
• Handle contractual, commercial, and technical issues arising under the EPC contract and WTA, working with legal and commercial teams where needed.
• Review, assess, and recommend actions on change orders, variations, and contractor/service-provider claims.
• Lead resolution discussions for technical and construction issues encountered during execution, both on-site and off-site.
• Oversee QA/QC activities and manage the SPV engineering teams, including the Owner’s Engineer, to witness, verify, and document inspections and tests according to approved Inspection and Test Plans and project requirements.
• Facilitate risk workshops with the EPC contractor and Owner’s Engineer, ensure risks are recorded in the risk register on a regular basis, and support them with mitigation and action plans.
• Work closely with sponsors, the lender’s engineer, insurance advisers, and O&M teams.
• Prepare and issue progress updates and technical memoranda as needed.
• Supervise milestone completion certificates, invoices, and mechanical completion certificates.
• Participate in, or lead, technical review committees established during construction with sponsors.
• Support a smooth handover of the project to the O&M team.
• Host site visitors and manage stakeholder communications.
• Provide timely reporting on contractual and commercial variances, along with mitigation ideas or alternative solutions.
• Assist in drafting contractual correspondence for stakeholders.
• Identify and track deliverables required by relevant parties.
• Coordinate commissioning and testing progress with the off-taker and Dispatch Control Centre.
• Support claims management with contractors and service providers.

Requirements

• A university degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering is required.
• Additional qualifications in project management or construction management are preferred.
• At least 15 years of project and site experience in large-scale power projects, including some experience in CCGT projects.
• Strong understanding of utilities and combined cycle power plant construction.
• Background in executing large infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with turnkey EPC contractors; experience with Chinese EPC contractors is preferred.
• Solid technical knowledge of construction methods, contract administration, and international standards.
• Capability in contract and claim management, along with negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with BOO project structures, project finance documentation, EPC contracts, and PPAs.
• Excellent reporting and communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently while also directing and guiding teams effectively.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.

Additional Information

This position is based at the Taweelah site in Abu Dhabi, about 30 to 40 km from the city. The engagement duration is 2.5 years. The job involves active coordination with multiple internal and external stakeholders and a strong presence on-site throughout construction and commissioning.