A Donegal native, who is playing an integral part in transforming Ireland’s electricity system, is marking 25 years working to ensure Ireland’s electricity needs are being met.
Charlie McGee, System Operational Manager with EirGrid, is part of the dedicated team working 24 hours a day from the National Control Centre (NCC), balancing electricity supply and demand across the entire country.
EirGrid is responsible for operating the electricity transmission system securely and reliably, while planning and delivering the grid of tomorrow. Established in 2001, this year marks 25 years of the organisation.
McGee, from Gort an Choirce, joined the organisation after graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University College Dublin.
“For the past quarter of a decade, EirGrid has been ensuring the safe and secure supply of electricity to businesses and homes in Donegal and across the country,” McGee said.
“The work we do here isn’t just about keeping the lights on, it’s also critical in supporting communities and regional economies to thrive, and I feel a real sense of pride in being a part of that.”
Since joining the organisation, he has held a variety of roles, including senior lead engineer in both the Transmission Network Planning and Technology and Standards department, before becoming manager of the Transmission Outage Programme for the Republic of Ireland, overseeing a complex programme of outages to facilitate maintenance, network upgrades and the connection of new customers.
Now, he works as System Operational Manager in the National Control Centre, a position he has held since 2021.
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“The role has evolved massively since I joined the organisation. Back then, there was very little wind generation on the system and there was no solar energy or battery storage,” McGee recalled.
“We’re now operating a power system with electricity generated from high levels of variable renewables, as well as dealing with various new technologies and increasing electricity demand.
“Despite working here for 25 years now, my skillset is constantly evolving to keep up with these changes.
“The current electricity grid is a result of the hard work and ambition of those across the organisation over the past 25 years, and being a part of that journey has been an incredible experience.”
Over the past 25 years, EirGrid has made progress in upgrading and reinforcing the transmission network and is now looking ahead to further deliver critical grid infrastructure.
EirGrid recently announced its new 5-year strategy to transform Ireland’s electricity grid, with a clear focus placed on building grid infrastructure at pace and at scale.
As part of the strategy, EirGrid has identified 29 priority projects to meet growing electricity demand, including ‘Powering Up the North West’.
The programme will consist of two new 220 kV circuits in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon.
Once delivered, it will accommodate the growing demand for electricity in the region, while also facilitating the integration of increased renewables onto the grid, helping to generate social and economic growth and development for the area.
McGee concluded: “It’s incredibly positive to see future grid investment in my home county which will help drive economic growth and regional development.”