Galway City Council has been awarded a €3.36 million grant for a major project to generate clean energy from the city’s canals.
Galway has become the first local authority in Ireland to receive funding under the European Urban Initiative (EUI) – Innovative Actions programme.
The Council has been awarded €3,363,213 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to lead a pioneering project called WATERWAY.
This will involve the installation of three small-scale hydropower turbines at selected sites, bringing the canals that once powered the city’s mills and industries back to life.
The proposed locations currently being reviewed are the Mill Street Canal, Terryland Waterworks and the Mclaughlin Building, Nuns Island. The locations will undergo detailed design to finalise appropriate design considerations.
Some of the locations being considered already contain existing infrastructure such as turbines, sluices and culverts, allowing for modern energy production with minimal disruption to sites.
These turbines will harness the natural flow of the canals to generate electricity for public use, including powering buildings and EV charging, while also delivering clean, renewable energy back to the electrical grid.
Derek Pender, Director of Service, Galway City Council, said, “This initiative represents a significant step forward in Galway’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
“Once operational, the Galway City project will serve as a demonstration site for other local authorities across Ireland and the EU, showing how underused water infrastructure can be reimagined to deliver positive environmental, economic, and social impacts.’’
The project is currently in an early stage, but has completed all environmental screening for the selected locations.
The first turbine is expected to be installed in late 2026, with the remaining two turbines to be installed later after a public procurement process. All systems are scheduled to be operational by the end of the project in early 2029.
In addition, the University of Galway is currently developing new modules and training opportunities in renewable energy and hydropower as part of the WATERWAY project.
These are expected to launch in late 2026, with pilot programmes and short courses offered initially, followed by integration into formal academic programmes in the following years.
Damien Redington, Climate Action Coordinator, Galway City Council said, “A key component of WATERWAY is the establishment of a Living Lab – a space for workshops, learning experiences, and site visits aimed at schools, colleges, community groups, and the public.”
“This will ensure Galway residents are not only informed but actively involved in the city’s climate transformation.”
“The project will also help train Ireland’s next generation of climate professionals, with new academic modules developed by the University of Galway focused on hydropower, sustainability, and innovation.”
“Importantly, the energy generated through WATERWAY will provide ongoing revenue that is reinvested into local climate initiatives, community campaigns, and future green infrastructure.’’
