Thomas Foody BEng MSc CEng

Established and lead EirGrid’s Southern Region Connection Projects function, delivering critical transmission infrastructure required to connect new demand, renewable generation, offshore projects and interconnection assets to Ireland’s electricity grid. Responsible for leading a portfolio of strategically significant projects, building a high-performing regional team and driving the delivery of infrastructure essential to achieving Ireland’s climate action and energy security objectives.

• Led project team in delivering complex transmission infrastructure and customer connection projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Manage project portfolios from customer engagement and concept development through consent, design, construction and energisation.
• Drove stakeholder alignment across customers, ESB Networks, regulators, government departments, communities, and industry bodies to facilitate successful project outcomes.
• Directed project governance, investment approvals, risk management, commercial performance, and delivery outcomes.
• Champion customer-focused delivery, innovation and continuous improvement across project development and execution.
• Developed EirGrid’s Cork Infrastructure Delivery Office and regional operating model, enhancing operational capabilities to support long-term business growth.
• Engaged as member of EirGrid management team in strategic planning, organisational development, and cultural leadership.

Established & Led the network design department in ESB Networks, overseeing new connections (LV-HV), network design, substations, OHL & cables (LV-HV), embedded generation, and contractor design services.

• Managed ESB Network Design Departments, focusing on substation, cables, OHL, and design contracting.
• Managed all design KPIs pre and post CA.
• Managed department of 120+ multi disciplinary staff.
• Oversaw allowance management for new connection projects in ESB Networks.
• Directed staff development, recruitment, and training initiatives to enhance team capabilities.
• Coordinated stakeholder relationships with regulatory bodies and financial partners to ensure project compliance.

• Directed HV construction projects, maintenance, operations and fault response at 154 high voltage substations in Co. Cork and Co. Kerry. Supervised team of 3 supervisors and 100 network technicians.
• Delivered annual HV construction projects and maintenance in my region, overseeing a £25 million programme.
• Managed the delivery of all solar connections and wind farm projects within my region.
• Coordinated and planned outages and commissioning activities to maintain operational integrity.
• Managed relationships with stakeholders including CRU, Eirgrid, IPPs, Legal and Finance to ensure effective collaboration.
• Oversaw contracts with contracting partners to ensure compliance and performance.
• National OHSAS Manager 2018-2020. Led full recertification process and transition from OHSAS18001 – ISO45001.
• Further developed my Leadership & management skills through an MSc in Management @ Smurfit Business School.

• Managed programme delivery for Networks Customer Delivery South, overseeing HV substation, OHL & cable design, outage co-ordination, health and safety, and all PSDP responsibilities.
• Developed and managed work programmes in NCD South, overseeing capital projects valued at over 120 million annually.
• Increased HV design productivity and output in NCD South through process improvement, staff development and recruitment.
• Developed strategy and processes for contracting HV substation design, ensuring alignment with project requirements and standards.
• Negotiated and agreed connection methodologies and costs for demand customers within my region.
• National OHSAS Manager 2018-2020. Led full recertification process and transition from OHSAS18001 – ISO45001.