Galway electrician helping build Ireland's energy future

As Ireland's electricity system continues to evolve, Galway native Sarah Murphy is helping to deliver the infrastructure that will power homes, businesses and communities for generations to come.

A Senior Technical Specialist at EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, Murphy plays a key role in safely bringing new transmission infrastructure onto Ireland's electricity network, supporting the country's transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

"Electricity underpins more and more of how we live and work, from heating our homes and powering transport to supporting businesses and industry," Murphy said.

"Our job is to ensure the grid can meet those changing needs while continuing to provide the safe, secure and reliable electricity supply that people depend on every day."

Originally from Kinvara, Murphy began her career through an electrical apprenticeship with ESB Networks rather than taking the traditional university route.

"I've always been drawn to the practical side of the industry. The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to learn how electrical networks operate while gaining hands-on experience working directly on the system."

Today, Murphy works within EirGrid's energisation instruction team, creating the detailed operational procedures required to safely energise new or modified transmission infrastructure and bring it onto the live electricity system.

"My role involves reviewing electrical drawings, technical information and project documentation to understand how new equipment interfaces with the existing transmission system," she explained.

"From there, I develop the operational steps and switching sequences needed to safely energise that infrastructure and bring it into service. There is a lot of responsibility involved, but it is also very rewarding to see infrastructure that you have worked on successfully energised and contributing to the grid."

Work like Murphy's is becoming increasingly important as EirGrid prepares to deliver significant investment across Ireland's electricity network to support growing demand, regional development and the transition to renewable energy.

Through its recently launched Group Strategy 2026, EirGrid has set out plans to invest €18.9 billion in transforming Ireland's electricity transmission system by 2030, representing the largest programme of grid development ever undertaken in the State.

The strategy focuses on maintaining a secure and resilient electricity system while delivering grid infrastructure at pace and scale, enabling higher levels of renewable electricity and supporting Ireland's long-term energy independence.

For Murphy, the strategy is about more than infrastructure; it's about creating the foundations for future growth across regions like Galway.

"My own career shows there are many different pathways into the energy industry," she said.

"What excites me most about EirGrid's strategy is the scale of ambition and the opportunity to contribute to projects that will have a lasting impact. We're seeing an enormous transformation across the electricity sector."

As part of the strategy, EirGrid will expand its workforce to more than 2,000 people over the coming years to help deliver major infrastructure programmes across the country, including projects that will strengthen the grid across the west of Ireland.

"The work we're doing today isn't just about building electricity infrastructure. It's about supporting new homes, economic growth, regional development and Ireland's transition to a cleaner energy future. Knowing that the projects I work on will help power communities for generations to come is something I'm very proud of."

For more information on EirGrid Group's 2026 strategy visit www.eirgrid.ie/strategy