Energy Data Analyst

About Us

Numbers underpin everything we do at Western Power Distribution.  Scrutinised, analysed and interpreted, they help us understand where we are and where we’re going. It’s about being responsive, reliable and easy to deal with. This is why our Finance and Audit  functions are so important. We ensure the right business decisions are made time and again.

Job Introduction

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Analyst based in Bristol.

The team you would be working in is primarily responsible for preparation of the prices that we charge electricity suppliers for the use of the electricity network. 

We are looking for a data analyst who can engage with a wide stakeholder base within the energy sector. We’ll value your existing skills and experiences while providing the opportunity for individuals with an agile approach and mind set, to further develop their career.

This is a role within the regulated electricity networks and requires a strong attention to detail in order to ensure compliance with both internal and external bodies.

The candidate will be able to use their love of data to look deeper to find the stories behind the figures.

Interviews are scheduled for w/c 1 February 2021.

Main Responsibilities

To assist in the provision of specialised services in revenue modelling, connections, sales and demand forecasting, DUoS pricing and the determination and publication of line losses. Also to provide technical support to the distribution business to enable well informed strategic, operational and regulatory decisions to be made whilst supporting the production of gross margin figures in the monthly financial results.

• Assist in the maintenance and development of costing and price setting; model and develop distribution network losses; and assist in the production of line loss adjustment factors.
• Interpret and apply capital costs for tariff modelling.
• Acquisition of metering data from various internal systems, either using standard reports or SQL (mostly Oracle).
• Collect, process and analyse electricity sales and import data for use in the company financial results, regulatory returns, financial forecasts, and business analysis.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new models to maintain and improve these processes in a changing environment.
• Support the production of the gross margin figures in the monthly financial results, including use of the ledger system in such items as accrual monitoring and invoice processing.
• Apply weather normalisation to sales and demand.
• Any other data analysis/acquisition appropriate to the role.

On a day to day basis you will:

• use your agile mind to tackle a range of complex issues whilst looking for simple, implementable but robust and well evidenced solutions
• engage with other team members and other stakeholders to identify clearly the extent and scope of the issue
• use your excellent excel skills including vlookups, sumifs, pivot tables etc. to analyse large data sets to identify causes, trends
• ideally you will use SQL skills to extract data to assist with getting to the answers that we need
• you’ll need an excellent memory for retention of complex processes because some tasks will only be repeated annually

The Ideal Candidate

• Appropriate academic qualification in a numerical or financial discipline (degree level).
• Ability to deal with complex problems.
• Good numeracy and literacy.
• Excellent computing skills in a range of PC based applications and client/server databases including SQL coding  (Oracle / ANSI) and advanced Microsoft office skills
• Have an understanding of the DNO Licence price control formulae and the associated licence conditions.
• Knowledge of the electricity industry, particularly distribution would be advantageous.
• Willingness to learn and find solutions to problems independantly
• Confidence to deal with internal stakeholders
• Able to deal with enquiries from members of the public or other businesses.

This vacancy will close at noon on 20 January 2021.

Please note that the starting salary may be £41,008 until such time as all of the elements of the role can be met.