Environmental Planner

Reporting to:Head of Environmental Planning Portugal

Location: Lisbon

We are Lightsource bp– and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development.

For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise.

Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long‑term sustainable growth and energy security.

Lightsource bp operates with five core values:Safety,Integrity,Respect,Sustainability, andDrive.

We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long‑term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.

Together, these values shape how we engage, assess, and welcome talent to join us in delivering transformational solar power solutions worldwide.

Lightsource bp was fully acquired by bp in 2024.

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

Working on environmental and planning matters for our growing Portuguese pipeline of utility scale solar farms, you will work closely with our Portuguese development team and other internal teams, as well as external co-development partners.

The role will involve working on all aspects of the planning process. The focus will be on the management of environmental processes ongoing within the portfolio, liaising with local authorities and engaging and managing consultants to prepare environmental assessments and planning applications/amendments. It will also include initial site assessment of new development leads and due diligence of acquisitions at various stages large scale solar energy projects across Portugal.

Role and Responsibilities

• Identifying and reporting on environmental and permitting risks, requirements processes and timeframes across project pipeline.
• Due diligence assessments - reviewing environmental planning/permit applications and authorisations
• Planning constraints analysis, including desktop assessments, use of GIS tools, and site visits.
• Close management of consultants in the preparation of environmental and planning assessments and management plans
• Manage ecological monitoring activities, ensuring compliance with industry best practices
• Undertaking stakeholder engagement for new solar farm developments (including managing consultants and attending meetings and consultation events)
• Engaging with environmental authorities
• Preparing technical specifications and consultant scope of works for contracts undertaking post-construction planning compliance audits for operational assets.
• Analyze relevant upcoming legislation and assess its potential impact on our projects
• Undertaking post-construction planning compliance audits for operational assets

Travel around the country for site visits, community information events, and meetings with planning authorities is likely.

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Knowledge/Experience

• Applicants must have a solid knowledge of the Portuguese environmental and planning system;
• At least 5 years experience of managing environmental planning applications
• Experience working on renewable energy projects, including wind or similar infrastructure/development will also be a benefit
• Experience in using GIS tools for constraints mapping (ArcGIS or similar)
• Excellent technical, project management and communication skills to manage the assessment and preparation of planning applications, EIAs and management plans.
• Ability to foster teamwork and assume increasing responsibilities
• Fluent Portuguese and English

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher (master’s degree) in Environmental Engineering, Biology or Forest Engineering is required

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.