"It’s fulfilling showing young people the many exciting possibilities in engineering"
Noirín began with the EirGrid Graduate Programme in September 2024.
Name - Noirín Clifford
EirGrid
Engineering Graduate
Noirín is from Crookstown, Co. Cork. She began with the EirGrid Graduate Programme in September 2024, following completion of her studies in sustainable energy engineering at Munster Technological University.
I’ve always been passionate about renewable energy and climate action. As the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, EirGrid are at the heart of Ireland’s transition away from fossil fuels to create a cleaner, more renewable power system. It’s rewarding to be part of a mission that not only shapes the present but also ensures a sustainable future for the next generation.
Can you tell us about your background and how it prepared you for this programme?
My degree placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, covering everything from the environmental impact of materials to the development of clean energy technologies and the policies needed to support climate action. This approach aligned closely with EirGrid’s mission to lead Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. It felt like a natural next step in my career.
I also had the opportunity to complete two internships with local companies that focus on renewable energy solutions. This hands-on experience gave me valuable insight into the practical side of renewable energy generation and sparked a deeper interest in expanding renewable energy infrastructure at both domestic and commercial levels.
The EirGrid graduate programme has allowed me to explore different roles that typically wouldn’t have been on my radar. Throughout the two-year programme, we complete three eight-month rotations, offering a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of areas in the company.
As per Government targets, the national electricity system must be developed to allow for 80% of our electricity to come from renewable sources, so to make this happen, a lot of different expertise is required. My first rotation was in Future Power Markets on the Energy Policy team, and I’ve now moved to System Support and Analysis.
EirGrid have a strong commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Starting with twenty-five other grads from a variety of academic backgrounds and skills made it easy to connect and build relationships within EirGrid. And it’s not just work; the social committee offers activities like circuit classes and intro to running, which I can enjoy with my friends and colleagues.
The flexibility policy is also a big benefit. This facilitates staff to create a work-life balance that works for them. We operate on a 2/3 model, which allows employees to have the flexibility to work from home up to three days per week.
Since joining EirGrid, I’ve had the opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers through initiatives like the Engineers Ireland ‘Engineer Like Me’ workshop and judging the SciFest Regional Final in MTU Cork.
I have also recently become a member of the first CIGRÉ Ireland’s Women in Energy (WIE) committee and hold the role of Head of Communications. CIGRÉ is a collaborative global community committed to world knowledge development for the creation and sharing of system expertise.
It’s fulfilling to show young people the many exciting possibilities in engineering.
If you’re passionate about sustainability and want to make an impact in a supportive and collaborative work environment, I encourage you to apply to the EirGrid Graduate Programme.
For more information, visit HERE.
