Ali Baker

When did you join Natural Power?  

June 2025 

Can you tell us more about your role?  

I work as a senior engineer in the grid advisory team. Within my role I work with clients to support them in understanding the challenges in connecting to the grid, navigating the various restrictions and obligations that might affect their ability to export. 

Typically, I work in due diligence supporting project transactions by reviewing the grid connection progress of projects against milestones.  

I also act as a technical advisor in projects whenever clients procure independent connections or transformers by providing a comparative review of tender responses. 

I have additionally done market analysis of opportunities for clients considering entering market services  

Why did you want to join the renewable energy industry? 

I was made aware in university that renewable energy was an emerging area in electrical engineering that present difficult new challenges and I wanted to be at the cutting edge of the industry.  

It also appealed as it was important for world development via promoting decarbonisation and energy security (which is an important topic recently as well)  

What is the most challenging part of your role? 

Dealing with the electrical grid connection process which is currently undergoing a massive reform that changes how projects connect. This requires a deep understanding of the new process and communicating to clients the opportunity of being offered the best possible position in the queue. 

What is your favourite aspect of renewables? 

My favourite aspect is exploring how data can be used to create new tools and processes to create new more efficient ways of doing things. 

What has been your proudest achievement? 

I was the lead innovation engineer in a team to help unlock new generation for clients by creating a GIS constraints map that visually shows where connections to substations are possible. This was done in close collaboration with colleagues in environmental consents and GIS to link different practical constraints. 

Tell us something interesting about yourself   

I’ve done archery since university and continue to shoot to this day.