Anna, from Ballinalee in Co. Longford, will use the bursary to fund a Master’s in Energy Systems Engineering at the University of Galway, beginning in September 2025. Her academic focus is on the feasibility of harnessing offshore wind and wave energy to meet Ireland’s growing energy demands.

The bursary is administered by Wind Energy Ireland and is funded by Arthur Cox LLP. The bursary was established in memory of our late partner Niamh Burke, who played a significant role in the Irish wind energy sector. Over a 20-year career, Niamh advised on some of Ireland’s largest energy, infrastructure and construction projects, and the bursary offers €10,000 each year to individuals wishing to study or to carry out research in the fields of renewable energy and climate action.

Niamh McGovern, Partner and Head of Energy at Arthur Cox LLP, said: “We are delighted to support Anna Connors as this year’s recipient of the Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary. Anna’s dedication to advancing renewable energy solutions, particularly in offshore wind and wave energy, reflects the values and vision that Niamh championed throughout her career. We are proud to honour Niamh’s legacy by supporting the next generation of leaders in sustainability and climate action.”

Lisa-Anne Crookes, Communications Manager at Wind Energy Ireland, said: “There are already thousands of jobs in wind energy in Ireland and this is only going to grow. Bursaries like this one help to support and champion the innovators, engineers, ecologists and energy specialists of the future.”

Anna started her engineering degree with a choice of areas to focus on, but found herself drawn to the renewable energy side of the industry very quickly.

Anna Connors said: “Being awarded the Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary is such a wonderful honour. It offers incredible financial assistance to further my studies and is an acknowledgement of my potential in Ireland’s energy sector and our country’s enormous wind energy opportunity. 

“It is a true honour to be able to continue the legacy of the late Niamh Burke in furthering study and innovation in the transition of Ireland’s energy sector to a more sustainable future.”

For more on careers in the wind energy industry, you can visit the Wind Energy Ireland website here.