Irish Women in Solar - Suzanne O’Leary
Suzanne O’Leary, Community Liaison Officer, Construction – Statkraft Ireland
We’re delighted to begin this year’s Irish Women in Solar series with Suzanne O’Leary, whose role sits at the heart of one of the most decisive factors in Ireland’s renewable transition: community engagement.
As Ireland scales solar deployment, projects are measured in megawatts and timelines. But their success is measured in trust.
Suzanne is Community Liaison Officer within the Construction team at Statkraft Ireland. Her career has consistently centred on people, communication and delivering projects in complex environments. Across construction, healthcare, automation, infrastructure and now renewables, trust, collaboration and successful outcomes have remained central to her work. She was drawn to solar because it combines meaningful engagement with long-term climate impact.
"I was drawn to solar because it brings together two things I care deeply about: meaningful community engagement and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Ireland."
For Suzanne, solar is tangible and local. It allows communities to see their role in climate action and take pride in it. As Ireland accelerates towards its renewable targets, strong stakeholder engagement during construction and delivery is not optional. It is fundamental. Building and maintaining trust is central to her approach.
"One of the achievements I’m most proud of is the consistent trust I’ve built with communities across multiple sectors."
That steady, relationship-led work underpins successful renewable delivery. It ensures projects are understood, questions are addressed and communities feel respected throughout the process.
Women in Solar
Having worked in construction and energy, both historically male-dominated sectors, Suzanne understands the importance of preparation and confidence. Credibility is built through consistency, professionalism and strong working relationships across teams.
She believes women bring essential strengths to the sector, particularly in communication, collaboration and community relationships, skills that directly support how solar projects are delivered. The energy transition affects every community in Ireland, and the sector should reflect that diversity. Her advice to women considering renewable energy is clear and grounded.
"Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities because you feel you need to know everything from day one."
Curiosity, confidence and openness to learning are just as important as technical expertise. The sector is expanding rapidly, and there is space for a wide range of skills and backgrounds.
Looking Ahead
Suzanne sees significant opportunity in community-based solar and integrated solar-plus-storage projects. As projects scale, she emphasises the importance of ensuring people understand not just what is being built, but why. Looking to the future, she is clear about her focus.
"My hope is to continue being a trusted link between renewable-energy developers and the communities we work with."
Ireland’s renewable transition will be built in megawatts, and it will succeed in communities.
As we launch Irish Women in Solar 2026, Suzanne’s role is a reminder that solar delivery is not only technical. It is relational. And that human dimension will define how successfully we reach our goals.