UK G99 Compliance Engineer Career: Required Background and Project Experience
If you’re searching for a career as a UK G99 Compliance Engineer, you are in the right place. This guide will answer your questions about the required background, project experience, and training for this highly specialized role. You will also see why this niche is low competition and how you can position yourself as a strong candidate in the UK and European energy market.
What Is a G99 Compliance Engineer?
A G99 Compliance Engineer is an electrical or power systems specialist who makes sure new generation projects comply with the Engineering Recommendation G99. This standard applies to any generation plant of 50 kW or above that connects to the UK distribution network. It covers technical rules for how generators must behave during normal operation, faults, and disturbances.
In simple terms, a G99 Compliance Engineer is the bridge between project developers, equipment suppliers, and the grid operator. This person checks that the design, models, protection settings, and tests all match the grid code requirements so that the plant can be safely and legally connected to the network.
Required Background for G99 Compliance Engineers
Most employers expect a G99 Compliance Engineer to have a solid grounding in electrical engineering. This is because you will be working with power system models, fault levels, voltage control, and protection schemes that require a strong technical base. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, power systems engineering, or a closely related field is usually the starting point.
Some companies may accept candidates with a different degree if they have significant experience in power networks, renewables, or grid connections. However, you will still need to demonstrate that you can understand single‑line diagrams, protection coordination, and grid code clauses.
Key Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, power systems, or a closely related discipline.
- Typically 2–5 years of experience in power systems, grid connections, or compliance-focused roles.
- Good understanding of UK distribution and transmission codes, including G99 and related standards.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and protection settings.
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports and compliance submissions.
- Confidence in dealing with Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), National Grid ESO, and project stakeholders.
Skills and Project Experience
Beyond formal education, employers look very closely at your skills and project history. G99 Compliance Engineers must bring together modelling, documentation, and stakeholder management. You need to be comfortable switching between detailed technical work and high-level discussions with non‑technical clients.
Core Technical Skills
- Power system analysis and modelling, including steady‑state and dynamic studies.
- Understanding of grid code requirements such as fault ride‑through, voltage and frequency support, and reactive power capability.
- Experience with connection studies: load flow, short circuit, harmonic analysis, and protection coordination.
- Familiarity with relevant standards and guidance (G99, G100, and distribution code documents).
- Ability to review and challenge OEM models and data for generators, inverters, and BESS inverters.
Software and Tools
- Exposure to power system simulation tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD, PSS®E, ETAP, or similar.
- Strong Excel skills for data handling, calculations, and template completion.
- Comfort using standard office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Teams) to create reports, presentations, and meeting records.
Soft Skills
- Clear written and verbal communication, especially when explaining complex technical points to non‑engineers.
- Organizational skills to track multiple projects, deadlines, and DNO interactions.
- Problem‑solving mindset to troubleshoot non‑compliance issues and propose mitigation options.
- Attention to detail, because even small errors in settings or documentation can cause project delays.
Typical Projects for G99 Compliance Engineers
G99 Compliance Engineers support a wide range of technologies. Although every project is different, the compliance process follows a similar pattern: design review, modelling, submission, testing, and sign‑off.
Common Project Types
- Solar PV farms: Ground‑mounted solar parks from a few megawatts up to large utility‑scale plants.
- Onshore and offshore wind: Wind farms that must meet stringent fault ride‑through and reactive support requirements.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Stand‑alone or co‑located storage systems that provide grid services and peak‑shaving.
- CHP and embedded generators: Industrial, commercial, and district heating sites exporting power to the grid.
- Hybrid sites: Projects combining generation and storage, sometimes with complex control schemes.
Key Responsibilities on These Projects
- Reviewing connection offers and identifying all G99 obligations for the project.
- Coordinating with designers and OEMs to ensure plant design can meet grid code requirements.
- Preparing and submitting G99 documentation packs to DNOs or National Grid ESO.
- Supporting or leading power system studies and interpreting the results for clients.
- Arranging and witnessing compliance tests, including frequency tests, voltage step tests, and fault ride‑through tests where applicable.
- Documenting test results and closing out any non‑conformances before final energisation.
G99 Grid Code Training and Upskilling
Because G99 is a detailed and evolving standard, structured training is a major advantage. Even experienced power engineers benefit from dedicated courses that walk through the requirements, forms, and typical pitfalls.
Types of Training Available
- Formal G99 and G100 courses: Instructor‑led courses that explain the standard, case studies, and compliance workflow.
- Utility and DNO webinars: Many network operators publish guidance notes and run occasional webinars on G99 technical issues.
- In‑house training: Larger consultancies and developers often have internal G99 training, mentoring, and templates.
- Self‑study: Reading the engineering recommendation, DNO guidance documents, and reviewing sample applications.
Related Pathways: BESS and Energy Storage
Battery Energy Storage Systems are one of the fastest‑growing areas where G99 Compliance Engineers work. If you are interested in hands‑on technical work around batteries and inverters, you may also want to explore technician‑level roles in this area.
For example, you can read more about training and jobs in the energy storage sector here:
These roles sit closer to site work, installation, and maintenance, but they give you an excellent understanding of how storage systems behave in the real world, which is valuable context for a future G99 Compliance Engineer.
CV Tips for G99 Compliance Engineer Roles
Your CV needs to show that you can manage both the technical and procedural aspects of grid compliance. Recruiters and hiring managers often scan quickly, so structure your CV clearly and use language that matches the job descriptions you are targeting.
How to Structure Your CV
- Profile summary: Two to four lines that state your years of experience, core specialism (e.g., “power systems and grid code compliance”), and sectors (solar, wind, BESS).
- Key skills section: A bullet list of your most relevant skills such as G99 compliance, power system studies, protection coordination, and stakeholder management.
- Experience section: For each role, highlight specific projects where you handled grid connection or compliance tasks.
- Education and training: List your degree, plus any grid code or power systems courses you have completed.
- Professional memberships: Mention relevant memberships (for example, IET or IEEE) as they support your professional credibility.
CV Checklist
- Clear mention of “G99” and “grid code compliance” in your profile and skills.
- Concrete project examples with your role (e.g., “led G99 submission for a 20 MW solar farm”).
- Evidence of working with DNOs or National Grid ESO.
- Any experience with power system modelling tools, even at basic level.
- Training courses or CPD related to grid codes, renewables, or power systems.
- Strong, active verbs such as “coordinated”, “delivered”, “analysed”, and “optimised”.
Why the G99 Compliance Engineer Niche Is Low Competition
Many engineers and graduates search for broad titles like “electrical engineer” or “renewable energy engineer” and never discover specialist roles like G99 Compliance Engineer. At the same time, every medium and large‑scale project that connects to the distribution network must navigate G99 requirements. This combination creates a demand–supply gap.
Because the role sits at the intersection of regulation, power systems, and project delivery, it appeals most to engineers who enjoy structured standards and detailed documentation. If that describes you, this niche can be both intellectually satisfying and financially rewarding.
How to Become a G99 Compliance Engineer: Step‑by‑Step
- Build a foundation in power systems: Complete an electrical or power engineering degree and seek modules or projects related to networks, protection, and renewables.
- Get exposure to grid projects: Aim for graduate or junior roles in utilities, EPCs, or consultancies where you can support connection studies or design work.
- Study the G99 documentation: Read the engineering recommendation and DNO guidance notes, and study example applications.
- Take a G99‑focused course: Enrol in a specialist course or webinar series that explains requirements, forms, and testing in detail.
- Own a compliance workstream: On a project, volunteer to take responsibility for tracking G99 conditions, submissions, and communication.
- Apply for dedicated roles: Once you have a solid base, target roles that specifically mention grid code or G99 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G99 Grid Code?
The G99 Grid Code is a UK engineering recommendation that sets out the technical requirements for connecting generation plants of 50 kW or more to the distribution network. It defines how generators must behave in terms of voltage, frequency, fault ride‑through, and protection so that the grid remains safe and stable.
What qualifications do I need to become a G99 Compliance Engineer?
Most employers expect a bachelor’s degree in electrical or power engineering and several years of experience in power systems, grid connections, or similar roles. On top of this, you should have a good understanding of G99, connection studies, and the ability to handle technical documentation and communication with DNOs.
How do I get G99 Grid Code training?
You can attend dedicated grid connection and G99 courses from specialist training providers, join webinars from utilities or industry bodies, or study the engineering recommendation and DNO guidance documents yourself. Many engineers combine formal training with on‑the‑job learning on real projects.
What is the salary for a G99 Compliance Engineer?
Salaries vary by region and experience, but many compliance‑focused engineers in the UK earn in the upper £30,000s to £40,000s, with experienced G99 specialists and consultants often moving into higher bands, especially when managing large portfolios or complex projects.
Useful Resources and Next Steps
To deepen your understanding of grid code and G99 compliance, it is helpful to explore a mix of official documents, training providers, and practical guides. These resources can give you both the theory and the real‑world context.
Outbound Resources
- Navigating UK Grid Connections: G99 & G100 – Training Course
- G99 Grid Compliance Studies – Engineering Power Solutions