The researchers explored how placing public engagement at the heart of projects helped to achieve the societal shift required for the energy transition, EirGrid head of public engagement Sinead Dooley says. The researchers examined all of our public engagement activities; they attended community forum meetings, interviewed stakeholders and shadowed us in all of our activities. What we are trying to do is promote grassroots action aligned with national energy transition strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Early engagement is very important for that.”EirGrid is very fortunate in having a dedicated public engagement unit, she adds. The only way is a bottom-up approach, the meitheal approach, sitting down with people and having open and honest discussions with them.”

Source: The Irish Times January 08, 2026 13:55 UTC