As a leading developer and operator of renewable energy across the island of Ireland, Energia is proud to profile Brian Mullen, Head of Operations who is responsible for managing Energia Group’s renewable energy portfolio, which is vital in helping progress Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 Climate Action as well as helping Ireland meet our climate action targets.
Born and raised in Mayo and now residing in Kildare, Brian completed an apprenticeship with ESB in Electrical and Instrumentation and Control. Brian also completed a business management course at night in Smurfit Business School (UCD). After joining Energia Group, Brian completed a Degree in Electronic and Computer Systems in DIT and a Masters in Energy Management from Sligo IT.
Speaking about his role in the energy company, Brian said, “I have responsibility for the management and operations of Energia Group’s renewable energy portfolio including wind and solar energy generation as well as battery storage and our Hydrogen production facility at our Long Mountain windfarm near Belfast. I like working in the renewable energy sector because every day I come to work I feel like the work we do is contributing to making the world a better place for the next generation as we tackle the climate crisis by developing renewable energy projects.”
Brian added, “By the end of this decade, we plan to generate three times as much renewable energy from onshore wind and solar projects, reduce the carbon intensity of our electricity generation by 50% compared to 2019, align further our responsible business activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and invest an €3bn in renewable technologies as part of our Positive Energy investment programme.”
Brian is passionate about achieving Energia Group’s Climate Action goals and highlights the role his team plays, “I am fortunate to lead a team of renewable energy experts who day in day out are working to progress renewable energy projects that will help to decarbonise the energy system across the island of Ireland.”
Encouraging young people to explore a career in the energy sector, Brian said, “I think if you want a role with great job satisfaction, where you have the ability to put down roots or travel the world while making a difference and helping to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges across a wide variety of fields then a career in Engineering is for you. Engineering is a great platform which offers a great diversity of career paths whether in conventional technologies or cutting-edge research and development, Engineers lead the way.”