Meet Tim Duff: Substation Commissioning Lead at EPEC

With nearly two decades of experience in the energy and infrastructure sector, Tim brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and grounded leadership to his role as Substation Commissioning Lead at EPEC Group. Calm under pressure and quick to collaborate, Tim is the kind of team member who not only gets things done but makes sure they’re done right.

Tim operates at the crossroads of engineering, site delivery, and client coordination. His primary responsibility is ensuring the safe and successful commissioning of infrastructure projects, whether that’s a solar farm, a battery energy storage system (BESS), or a high-voltage substation. His involvement begins long before any site activity, covering everything from planning and documentation to resource coordination, technical troubleshooting, and ultimately, leading energisation efforts.

As Tim explains, “I make sure everything is in place, from the paperwork to the people to the protection settings so when it’s time to go live, everything works. It’s a mix of planning, hands-on problem-solving, and communication.”

What makes his role especially dynamic is how closely it’s tied to the full delivery lifecycle. Unlike many project environments where teams are siloed, EPEC’s integrated model allows Tim to work across disciplines from initial and concept design and protection studies through to construction, commissioning, and completion.

That’s what makes EPEC different. We don’t hand things off to ten different companies. If there’s a question or a challenge, I can walk over to the design engineer, the SCADA specialist, or the project manager and work it through right there. It’s fast, efficient, and collaborative.

This integrated approach doesn’t just make for smoother delivery; it also creates space for innovation. That adaptability is what allows EPEC to stay responsive and forward-thinking. Teams work fluidly across departments, knowledge is shared openly, and mentoring happens organically as part of daily work, not as a formal process.

That culture of agility and support was one of the key factors that drew Tim to EPEC in the first place. After years at a large multinational where decisions were slow and the processes rigid, he was looking for an environment where good ideas or improvement opportunities could gain traction quickly and where people truly worked as one team.

At EPEC, you’re not just a number. You can speak up, suggest improvements, and know that you’ll be heard. That’s a huge difference.

For Tim, it was the people behind the business that truly set EPEC apart from other companies. “It was absolutely the people and the culture. Everyone’s approachable. Everyone’s working towards the same thing. It’s not political. There’s a real sense of shared ownership.” That sense of shared purpose is deeply felt within the commissioning team, which Tim describes as one of the most capable and generous groups he’s worked with.

With decades of combined experience, no one in the team holds knowledge back. This openness fosters a strong learning culture, particularly for early-career engineers.

At EPEC, mentoring and development aren’t left to chance. They’re embedded in the culture. Tim views this as a crucial aspect of what keeps the team both technically sharp and deeply connected.

For Tim, “growth” hasn’t been a buzzword it’s been a reality. Since joining EPEC, he’s developed his skills in areas he hadn’t previously worked in, such as renewable grid connections, SCADA integration, and advanced protection testing.

I came in with strong experience on the delivery side, but I’ve learned so much here especially in terms of how SCADA fits into the overall picture, and how we interface with different NSPs. You’re constantly learning, because no two projects are the same.

EPEC’s growth as a business has mirrored Tim’s own. As the company expands, new roles and opportunities continue to emerge. “New roles are opening up all the time. A position that didn’t exist six months ago could be someone’s full-time job next year. If you’re curious and willing to get involved, there’s plenty of room to move.”

One of the most impactful parts of Tim’s experience has been the access to leadership a defining aspect of the culture that continues to stand out. “I sit three seats down from one of the company’s Directors. If I’ve got a problem, I go over and talk to them directly. At other companies, you’d be sending emails to someone overseas, hoping for a reply.”

This kind of direct access enables quick decisions, stronger alignment, and a genuine sense of trust between teams and leadership.

“If I need to raise something, I don’t need to book a meeting or send an email, I just go over and talk to them. Decisions are made quickly, and problems are solved without politics.”

Of course, every role has its challenges. For Tim, the most consistent one is managing tight timelines and coordinating across multiple moving parts. But even in those pressure moments, he knows he’s supported by his team.

“When things get tough, you’re never left to handle it alone. People step in, lend a hand, and help get the job done. That’s the kind of team we’ve built here at EPEC.”

Looking ahead, Tim is optimistic about what’s to come. With the energy industry undergoing a massive transformation and EPEC positioned at the forefront of renewables and smart grid projects, there’s plenty to be excited about.

“A lot is happening in our space battery storage, grid transformations, new technologies. EPEC is in a great position to lead, and I’m proud to be part of that.”

For anyone considering joining the team, Tim’s message is clear: “Make the call. If you’re passionate about engineering, if you want to grow, and if you want to be part of a genuinely supportive team; this is the place for you!”

Meet More of the Team

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EPEC’s Hardware-in-the-Loop Technology is Now Live in Renewable Projects
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