Director of Utility Power Projects

Position 

Title: Director of Utility Power Projects 
Location: Tokyo, Japan 
Department: UPP Division, Project Development 
 

Company 

Peak Energy is a renewable energy platform focused on developing solar, wind, and battery projects across Asia. Its portfolio spans large utility-scale assets as well as onsite, distributed generation projects. Peak Energy already holds some of the largest solar and wind developments in Korea and Japan. 
Peak Energy is the renewable arm of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, one of the largest infrastructure investment firms globally with over USD 70 billion in assets under management. To date, Stonepeak has raised more than USD 2.7 billion specifically to invest in renewable energy projects. 

 

Role Overview 

As Director of Utility Power Projects, you will lead the full-cycle development of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects across Japan. This role requires senior leadership in project execution, strategic engagement with government and utility partners, and operational excellence through construction readiness. 
You will oversee site origination, interconnection, permitting, and transition to NTP (Notice to Proceed), while collaborating with investment, engineering, and construction teams locally and across the broader Peak Energy platform. 

Position

Title: Director of Utility Power Projects

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Department: UPP Division, Project Development

 

Company

Peak Energy is a renewable energy platform focused on developing solar, wind, and battery projects across Asia. Its portfolio spans large utility-scale assets as well as onsite, distributed generation projects. Peak Energy already holds some of the largest solar and wind developments in Korea and Japan.

Peak Energy is the renewable arm of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, one of the largest infrastructure investment firms globally with over USD 70 billion in assets under management. To date, Stonepeak has raised more than USD 2.7 billion specifically to invest in renewable energy projects.

Role Overview

As Director of Utility Power Projects, you will lead the full-cycle development of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects across Japan. This role requires senior leadership in project execution, strategic engagement with government and utility partners, and operational excellence through construction readiness.

You will oversee site origination, interconnection, permitting, and transition to NTP (Notice to Proceed), while collaborating with investment, engineering, and construction teams locally and across the broader Peak Energy platform.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Origination & Evaluation

• Responsible for success of project development activities within Peak Energy Japan
• Manage a development team in Tokyo to transact land, apply and complete grid assessments, assess and forecast project permitting status and collaborate with external partners
• Identify and secure new project opportunities through direct land acquisition, collaboration with local developers, and market transactions.
• Includes the conduct preliminary (early stage screening) and detailed (due diligence phase) of technical, legal, and regulatory due diligence of greenfield or near-RTB projects.
• Lead commercial assessments and internal approvals for project acquisition.

 

Land Acquisition & Permitting

• Negotiate land lease or purchase agreements with landowners or through intermediaries.
• Manage relationships with local authorities and third-party consultants to obtain necessary permits (e.g., agricultural conversion, forest development approvals).

 

Grid Connection & Utility Coordination

• Lead discussions and coordination with utility companies regarding connection applications, capacity studies, and interconnection agreements.
• Understand and assess non-firm (non-firm connection) schemes, curtailment risks, and technical requirements.

 

Internal Coordination & Process Management

• Prepare investment committee materials and manage internal development milestones through gate processes.
• Collaborate closely with EPC, finance, and PPA teams to ensure projects are technically and commercially viable.
• Maintain regular reporting to HQ (in English) regarding development progress and risks.

 

Commercial Structuring for PPA Projects

• Align development strategy with offtaker needs (e.g., location, COD schedule, contract duration).
• Support structuring and preparation of projects to meet PPA requirements including for cPPA and vPPA structures.

 

Requirements:

 

Essential:

• Minimum 10 years of real estate or other relevant work experience (does not need to be renewables), of which at least 3 years of hands-on experience in solar PV project development, including land acquisition, permitting, and utility engagement in Japan.
• Strong knowledge of Japan’s utility-scale (High Voltage) PV project market and regulatory landscape.
• Strong business process focus to drive and phase activities within project development team and in coordination with other departments
• Proven track record of moving projects from origination to RTB (Ready-to-Build).
• Native Japanese
• Business-level fluency in English reading and writing.
• Excellent negotiation, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred:

• Existing relationships with local developers, brokers, and landowners.
• Familiarity with FIT/FIP schemes and Japan’s grid curtailment challenges.
• Business-level fluency in English speaking

Candidate Profile:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to independently manage development activities while working collaboratively across departments.
• Skilled in managing risk and balancing technical, regulatory, and commercial priorities.
• Effective communicator who can manage both local stakeholders and international reporting lines.