As a leading developer and operator of renewable energy across the island of Ireland we are proud to be profiling some of our Renewable Energy team working on innovative projects that will help progress Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 Climate Action as well as help Ireland meet our climate action targets.

Originally from the sunny Southeast it’s no surprise that Éanna Farrell is a Solar Project Manager with Energia Group. Eanna graduated from Cork Institute of Technology in 2012 with a degree in Sustainable Energy Technology and continued his education in Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi graduating with a Masters in Water and Environmental Engineering in 2016. Speaking about his role Éanna said, “I’m responsible for managing the development of shovel ready ground-mounted utility-scale solar farms and bringing them through construction and on into operation. I get enormous job satisfaction knowing that the projects I am working on will provide a more sustainable energy future for all and will help to progress SDG 13; Climate Action. At Energia Group we are developing a large portfolio of solar projects that is currently capable of providing enough green electricity to meet the needs of approximately 170,000 homes per year.”

Éanna, passionate about providing a more sustainable energy future for Ireland shares with us why solar is an excellent complement for the country’s power system, “Solar can be rapidly deployed, is very predictable in terms of output and works off diffuse as well as direct light making it perfect for our weather!”

Speaking about his parents who are his career inspiration Éanna said, “My parents always encouraged me to follow a career in something that I found interesting and for me that was engineering. They also encouraged me to work hard and instilled in me a strong work ethic.”

Encouraging students to explore the possibilities of a career in engineering, Éanna said, “If you are curious about the world and want to contribute to solving some of the world’s biggest challenges like the climate crisis, a career in engineering could be for you. The options available to you with an engineering degree are endless.

“When I was in transition year, I did my work placement with the Civil Engineering team in Waterford County Council and whilst I was only there for 2 weeks I learned so much. I saw first-hand a large civil engineering project for a wastewater treatment plant. This gave me an insight into what I could expect from a career in engineering, where you use your knowledge to create a solution and take it from design through to realisation.”

In Energia Group we are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 goals are set out by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development "Transforming our World" with the aim of creating a more sustainable, equal, and prosperous future across the globe. We are taking active steps to help progress these goals including a commitment to reduce the carbon intensity of our electricity generation by 50% by 2030 and by increasing the availability of renewable energy through its’ €3 billion positive Energy Investment programme. The Group are developing 2 significant offshore windfarms (the North Celtic Sea and South Irish Sea), solar farms in Meath and Dublin, hydrogen production from wind, battery storage solutions as well as continuing to expand and operate their onshore wind portfolio. As a community focused company, Energia Group are committed to supporting local communities through volunteering, charity and a significant community benefit fund which has seen €3million invested in communities in recent years.

If you would like to join our team, please visit www.energiagroup.com/careers

STEPS Engineers Week is run by the Engineers Ireland STEPS programme, gives children the opportunity to discover engineering, facilitated by their teachers, parents and local community.