GALWAY CITY COUNCIL has become the first local authority in the country to receive funding under the European Urban Initiative (EUI) – Innovative Actions programme.
€3,363,213 has been awarded to Galway City Council through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to lead a pioneering project called WATERWAY, which will revitalise the city’s historic canals as a source of clean energy, education, and public engagement. The total project value is estimated to be €4.2 million.
WATERWAY will see 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. The micro hydropower initiative is safe for wildlife above and below the water. The first turbine installation is expected in late 2026, following detailed feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and community engagement. The remaining two installations will be publicly procured to appoint a contractor later in the project lifecycle, with all systems scheduled to be operational by the end of the project in early 2029.
This project involves the modernisation of existing systems and adheres to the published guidelines in Ireland and the EU. Authorized smolt screens are used to prevent any fish from entering, who can pass downstream as normal through a free-flowing passage, avoiding any disruption to fish migration patterns. No equipment will be installed in the main Corrib river, and the project will strictly focus on the city’s purpose-built existing industrial canals. The project is currently in its early phase, with site preparation, engineering studies, and public engagement underway. Galway City Council has launched a dedicated website where the public can track progress, explore resources, and get involved in upcoming workshops and events, link to website.
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”.
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”.
In 2025, Galway City Council was named the winner of the All Ireland Community and Council Awards “Best Trail/Waterway in Ireland” award, celebrating its work in opening up canals and rivers as public amenities. WATERWAY will build on that success by creating a new outdoor museum trail, allowing residents and visitors to learn about Galway’s industrial past and sustainable future. The turbines will both power infrastructure and become educational landmarks, embedded into Galway’s green urban fabric.
