In the coming ten years and onward, Ireland’s electrical system will be revolutionised like never before. The government has set out targets to ensure that renewables account for 80% of the nation’s energy by 2030. As described by EirGrid’s Interim Chief Corporate Services Officer, Doireann Barry, the company’s mission is to ensure the evolution of the country’s electrical grid to accommodate low carbon renewable energy.
Following 2030, EirGrid’s obligation will be to expedite the shift towards a future with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will necessitate critical infrastructure advancements not only nationwide, but also in our seas, allied with the adoption of innovation and novel technologies.
Using tools and applications that are commonplace in other areas is still not the norm in healthcare environments. Barry states, “Whether it’s the application of AI or the execution of major projects, it’s necessary to consider solutions that may have appeared implausible even a mere few years ago.” She adds that the key to this transformation will be the skilled and passionate individuals within the energy sector and beyond who hold the capacity to forge a greener energy future.
EirGrid is undertaking numerous sizeable infrastructure projects such as the Celtic Interconnector, due to link the Irish grid to France. Another undertaking includes Powering Up Dublin, which demands the installation of over 50km of electrical cables to reinforce key electricity infrastructure in Dublin, gearing up the city for renewable energy. “We are seeing at EirGrid that our colleagues are eager to contribute to the wider decarbonisation efforts across the economy and society,” explains Barry.
At present, EirGrid is accommodating up to 75% of Ireland’s electrical generation from sporadic renewables like wind and solar concurrently. This system non-synchronous penetration (SNSP) limit is amongst the highest globally. The objective is to escalate this to 95% by the end of this decade.
Changes are happening at a swift pace. Onshore wind power and solar energy are already being utilised in the grid in Ireland. Moreover, the generation of renewable energy from these sources is set to expand. This month, the government published its recent plans for offshore energy. As a response, EirGrid is working on constructing the grid connections required to integrate offshore power into the Irish electrical system.
“The sector is expanding, and EirGrid is keeping pace. I firmly believe that this is a fantastic moment for anyone interested in sustainability and with the relevant experience to engage in a career that can elicit genuine transformation,” Barry concludes.