Carlos Rincon is a PMP-certified and MBA-educated Project Management Professional with more than 18 years of experience in the renewable and conventional energy sector.
Carlos has vast experience within the Project Controls function of multiple large-scale and complex projects, with budgets ranging from £100m to £1bn, overseeing the Planning, Cost, Risk, Change & Scope Management, and Subcontracts management disciplines.
His mission is to ensure the successful delivery of the projects, complying with corporate policies, internal procedures, and client requirements, while optimising the performance, profitability, and sustainability of them.
For the latest in Astute’s People Powered Profile series, Carlos spoke with Kevin Over about his career.
Can you tell us a bit about your career journey so far?
My professional journey started in 2006 when I began working at IBERDROLA in Spain as a Cost Controller within their Planning, Controls, and Systems department.
I will always be grateful to them for the opportunity they provided me, as some of my current knowledge and work style were shaped during my time there.
Having worked for several large multinational Spanish companies in different roles, I have always been involved in the Project Controls function, which encompasses areas like cost management, planning and scheduling, risk management, scope and change management, contract management, and subcontracts administration.
Over the years, I have worked on numerous large-scale and intricate projects in various regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, and Latin America.
These projects have involved a wide range of technologies, such as Energy from Waste, Biomass, Solar, PV, Wind, LNG, BESS, and Combined Cycle.
Lately, since I now reside in the UK, I have started a new journey, but this time, instead of being a part of the Principal Contractor, where I have always been, I will be on the opposite side of the contract.
I am looking forward to this new experience.
What are some of the projects/power stations you have been involved in?
Over the years, I have been part of numerous projects, but some leave a lasting impression for various reasons.
My first project was the Mesaieed Power Plant, a 2,000-MW Combined Cycle facility in Qatar.
This project was incredibly complex, with a demanding client and extreme weather conditions.
Nevertheless, our team’s diligent efforts resulted in its successful completion.
At the time, I was still new to the job, and it was only my second week when I had to review and approve a substantial invoice from GE, amounting to almost $100 million.
I recall feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the situation.
I also recall the construction of the 50-MW Arenales concentrated solar power plant in Spain, which was completed ahead of programme and resulted in a profit increase.
This was largely due to the excellent project team and the positive work environment.
It was an enjoyable experience.
Additionally, I remember the third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, which has an 800-MW capacity using photovoltaic solar panels.
We initially believed it would be a simple project (it’s just a PV, we said), but it became much more complicated, especially in Plot A.
I will never forget the camp in El Taref, Algeria, for the construction of the Koudiet Eddraouch Combined Cycle Power Project, a 1,200-megawatt gas-fired power plant.
At the time, we worked on a rotation of five weeks on-site and two weeks off. It was a short but intense and challenging period for me, during which I learned a great deal from talented professionals.
A more recent experience is the NESS Energy Project in Aberdeen, which is an energy-from-waste facility capable of processing 150,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually.
During construction, we faced numerous challenges, including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukrainian War, rising raw material prices, labour shortages in the UK, and the bankruptcy of a few key subcontractors.
Despite these obstacles, we were able to complete the project, although not on time. I am proud to have been a part of this project.
The following are more projects that have contributed to my personal and professional growth, including the Cerro Dominador Solar Power Plant, a 110-MW concentrated solar power facility in Chile, the Suez Thermal Power Plant, a 650-MW gas-fired power project in Egypt, and the Reynosa Wind Farm, a 424-MW onshore wind power project in Mexico.
How much has the industry changed during your years within it?
Without a doubt, the renewable energy sector has made remarkable strides over the past two decades.
In fact, the global installed capacity has more than doubled since 2006.
There is a wide range of energy sources available today, including coal, oil, gas, nuclear, hydropower, solar, wind, waste, and biofuel.
This diverse energy system is relatively new.
On one hand, the urgent need to combat climate change and the increasing social pressure for sustainability are pushing governments to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy sources.
The number of countries with renewable energy policy targets has significantly increased.
I believe that renewable energy will continue to advance, possibly through new technologies or improvements in systems that lower construction costs.
However, conventional energy from fossil fuels should not be completely eradicated.
What are some of the biggest challenges the industry is facing?
I believe that there are a number of challenges facing the industry at present.
One of the main issues is the problem of grid capacity.
As I mentioned earlier, the increase in wind, solar, biomass, and PV energy generation in recent years has been significant, but the current electricity grid is not equipped to handle the variability and intermittency of these renewable energy sources.
Another challenge is the shortage of skilled professionals.
This includes individuals involved in the entire lifecycle of these facilities, such as design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
This issue is causing a high level of turnover in the industry, which makes it difficult to retain experienced workers and is resulting in rising wages in some roles.
Furthermore, there is still scepticism surrounding digital transformation and new technologies in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM).
With proper implementation of BIM, many problems can be prevented during the design, construction, and operations process.
Unfortunately, some companies are still only using BIM at Level 1 or 2, relying solely on 2D and 3D models.
Lastly, but certainly not least important, is the issue of work-life balance.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us that remote work can be effective, and although not everyone can work remotely, many professionals in our industry can.
It is crucial for companies to understand the importance of work-life balance in creating engaged and satisfied employees.
A healthy balance between work and personal life enables individuals to excel in their jobs and maintain their well-being outside of work.
What are some of the skill sets you’re seeing high demand for in the power sector?
The power sector job market is continually growing, offering skilled professionals the opportunity to forge successful careers with some of the UK’s top companies.
The specific skills required for a particular role in the industry will vary.
Each role in the power sector is essential, whether it’s a full-time position on a construction site or working in an office setting.
In addition to other relevant skills, problem-solving and critical thinking, cross-team collaboration, motivation and perseverance, project management, effective communication, and data analysis are highly sought-after abilities.
For roles such as project director, strong leadership skills are vital as they have a significant impact on a project’s success by overseeing, coordinating, and motivating team members.
What do you enjoy most about working in the industry?
The work in this industry is never dull, as there is always a new challenge to face, and every day is different.
Even when you believe you have solved all of the problems and closed the chapter, more will undoubtedly arise.
For those who work in the design and construction of these facilities, as I do, the sense of accomplishment is immense once the project is completed and running smoothly.
This feeling, regardless of the obstacles encountered during the process, is truly fulfilling.
What advice would you give your younger self as you embarked upon your career?
I recently came across a company’s slogan that perfectly captures the essence of the power sector: “Challenge the accepted.”
My advice to young professionals in this field would be to remain curious, embrace change, and seize the opportunities that come their way.
Remember, it is during your youth that you should make mistakes and learn from them, as the lessons learned from failure are more valuable than those from success.
Would you like to join Carlos Rincon and be featured as Astute’s next guest in our People Powered Profile series?
If, like Carlos Rincon, you’d like to be featured in Astute’s People Powered Profile series and discuss your career, please contact Kevin Over directly via email or LinkedIn.
