Project Developer Environmental Specialist

Location

Madrid, Spain; Bilbao, Spain; Seville, Spain

About Us

Zelestra is a client-focused, multi‑technology, global renewable energy company, committed to doing things the right way. Our purpose is clear: to change the world by making decarbonization a reality for our partners. 

We are a vertically integrated company, specialized in the development, commercialization, construction, and operation of large‑scale renewable energy projects.

Zelestra supports customers, communities, and stakeholders through tailored energy solutions, local job creation, and strong sustainability practices.

Zelestra is backed by more than two decades of experience, and with a strong presence in key growth markets across the U.S and Europe and supported by EQT, one of the world’s leading investment funds, with €270 billion in total assets under management.

Mission

The Project Developer – Environmental Specialist is responsible for securing environmental feasibility and permitting of renewable energy projects under the Spain Business Unit Codevelopment function.

The role ensures that environmental processes enable projects to reach:

• Environmental authorization (DIA or equivalent)


• Ready-to-Build status from an environmental standpoint


• Full compliance with regulatory and compensatory obligations

Within the Spain 2027–2031 Strategy, the position directly supports:

• PV portfolio hybridization


• Stand-alone BESS co-development projects


• Wind and PV projects with interconnection capacity


• Environmental de-risking of acquisition targets


• New technologies analysis (data centers, biogas, others)

The role’s impact is primarily on timeline certainty, risk mitigation, and capitalizable development discipline.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Co-development Senior Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

A. Environmental and Sectorial Permitting Analysis

Lead and coordinate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/DIA) processes for:
•    PV + BESS hybridizations
•    Stand-alone BESS projects
•    Wind projects under co-development
•    Select acquisition projects requiring environmental review

Ensure:
•    Timely submission of complete environmental documentation
•    Quality control of external consultants
•    Alignment between environmental timeline and development milestones

Accountable for environmental readiness prior to investment/NTP gating (technical side only).

B. Hybridization & Storage Environmental Integration

Support the environmental permitting of:
•    BESS hybridizations within existing PV portfolio
•    Grid-charging analysis and environmental implications
•    Layout adaptations required by storage integration

Ensure environmental constraints do not delay hybridization targets.

C. Environmental Risk Identification & Mitigation

Perform early-stage environmental screening to identify:
•    Biodiversity constraints
•    Red Natura 2000 risks
•    Cumulative impact issues
•    Curtailment-linked environmental limitations
•    Compensatory measure cost exposure

Provide risk assessment inputs to the development and M&A team

D. Regulatory & Authority Management

Act as technical environmental interface with:
•    Regional/national environmental authorities
•    Water agencies
•    Cultural Heritage and other sectorial bodies
•    Biodiversity departments

Manage formal responses, public consultation processes, and technical clarifications.
Ensure full compliance with permitting conditions and governance documentation.
Attend events related to environmental regulation.

E. Development Budget & Devex Discipline

Support control of environmental-related DEVEX, CAPEX and OPEX by:
•    Monitoring consultant budgets
•    Distinguishing capitalizable vs non-capitalizable costs
•    Ensuring environmental studies are aligned with approved development budget
•    Estimation of environmental related inputs for financial modelling 

Provide visibility on environmental cost exposure impacting project economics.

F. Construction Handover & Compliance Continuity

Ensure proper transfer of:
•    DIA conditions
•    Monitoring obligations
•    Compensatory measures
•    Environmental reporting requirements to Construction and Operations teams.

Minimize environmental-related claims, delays, or cost overruns post-NTP.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Environmental Engineering or related field.


• Master’s degree in Environmental Impact Assessment preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of Spanish environmental regulation.


• Ability to translate environmental risks into project implications.


• Professional Spanish and English.


• GIS knowledge valued.

Previous experience

3–6 years in environmental permitting of renewable projects in Spain. Experience in:

• PV permitting


• BESS or hybrid projects


• Wind permitting


• Biogas (valued)


• Data centers (valued)


• Management of external environmental consultancies

Experience working under milestone-driven development environments.

Soft Skills

• Execution-oriented and deadline-driven mindset.


• High autonomy within reporting structure.


• Strong documentation rigor and governance discipline.

Key Success Indicators

• Environmental permits obtained within planned development schedule.


• No environmental-driven delays impacting project readiness for NTP.


• Controlled environmental DEVEX/CAPEX within approved budgets.


• Effective integration of BESS hybridization environmental requirements.


• Zero major environmental compliance incidents post-COD.


• Quality and completeness of environmental documentation.

What we offer

• Career opportunities and professional development in a growing multinational company with a team highly qualified.


• Permanent contract


• Full-time


• Flexible compensation


• Remote work 2 days a week

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, among others, gender, age, ethnicity... Our mission is to contribute to a fairer and more equitable society.

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