EUI-IA WATERWAY Project

The WATERWAY Project is an innovative initiative led by Galway City Council as part of the European Urban Initiative’s Innovative Actions programme.
Galway City is the first local authority in Ireland to receive funding under this pillar - a significant achievement for both Galway City Council and our Climate Action Team.
At its core, the project supports Galway’s energy transition. It addresses some of the city’s key climate challenges, including:
•    low uptake of renewable energy, 
•    energy poverty, 
•    limited access to funding for climate projects, and 
•    the need to build up green sector skills locally.
WATERWAY will install three small-scale hydropower systems, along the canals within Galway City. These systems will generate clean electricity to power local infrastructure, including EV charging, and reinvest income generated directly into Galway City Council’s climate initiatives.
The project also focuses on education and engagement. Through dedicated training programmes and hands-on learning, the project will develop a skilled local workforce in renewable energy. At the same time, the hydropower sites will be opened up as public spaces, creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism and community interaction.
Together, these elements form a circular model where clean energy, education, community, and local investment all feed into one another. 
The expected outcomes include more renewable energy generation, lower emissions, job creation, upskilling, and stronger community resilience, making WATERWAY a model that other cities across Europe can learn from.

The WATERWAY Project is led by Galway City Council, which acts as the Main Urban Authority, overseeing the overall delivery and ensuring the project aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan.
A group of experienced local and European partners are working together to support different parts of the project:
•    University of Galway is leading on education, training, and research. They’re helping to design and deliver the project’s Living Lab, supporting upskilling in green technologies and ensuring knowledge can be transferred to other cities.
•    Galway City Community Network (GCCN) is responsible for community engagement. They’re organising public consultations, workshops, and events to make sure local voices shape the project and its outcomes.
•    Quirke Renewable Systems Ltd, an Irish renewable energy company, is responsible for delivering one of the three small-scale hydropower installations. They are also carrying out the technical feasibility studies and planning assessments for all three proposed sites.
•    Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) is providing strategic oversight to ensure the project fits within wider regional and national policies, and helping support future replication of the model.
•    European Transfer Partners from Croatia (Ludbreg), Italy (Jesolo), and Portugal (Águeda) are part of the team to learn from Galway’s approach and bring lessons back to their own context.
 

The WATERWAY Project has a total budget of just over €4.2 million and is co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
•    80% of the funding comes from the ERDF.
•    The remaining 20% comes from partner contributions.
Funding is shared among the project partners based on their roles and responsibilities:
•    Galway City Council – approx. 63% of the total budget
•    University of Galway – approx. 12%
•    Quirke Renewable Systems Ltd – approx. 7%
•    Galway City Community Network (GCCN) – approx. 3%
•    Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) – approx. 5%
•    Three European transfer partners (Ludbreg, Jesolo, Águeda) – approx. 11% combined
 

Ireland has a long tradition of harnessing water power. For centuries, rivers and canals supported local industry - powering grain mills, textile works, and timber processing. Galway City’s own waterways played a central role in this history, with many of the millraces and sluice gates from that era still visible today.
The WATERWAY project builds on this legacy by reintroducing hydropower in a modern, sustainable way. Instead of large dams or open turbines, it uses a compact, enclosed system. This technology captures the natural flow and modest height differences (“drops”) in Galway’s canal system. Water is channelled through a small chamber that spins a generator inside, quietly producing electricity before flowing straight back into the canal.
These turbines are incredibly space-efficient and fit into areas as little as 3 square metres, making them ideal for tight urban and heritage-rich environments like Galway’s canals. The focus is on modernising existing infrastructure with works confined to the city’s purpose-built industrial canals.
The system is also designed to be wildlife-friendly. Smolt screens prevent fish from entering the turbine chamber, and the downstream migration of fish remains unaffected. The enclosed design and small size make it completely safe for wildlife above and below the water. The project adheres fully to national and EU environmental guidelines.
In addition to generating clean, low-cost electricity, the improved water circulation may even lead to better water quality and temperature regulation within the canals. Thousands of similar micro-hydropower installations exist worldwide - quietly supporting communities while preserving their natural and built environments. Galway is now proudly part of that movement.
 

The WATERWAY Project is designed to deliver long-term value for Galway City by combining clean energy, community engagement, and environmental responsibility.
For the city, the project will generate renewable electricity from Galway City’s canal network, helping to power local infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging points and public buildings. This supports Galway’s Climate Action Plan and contributes to the city’s wider goal of becoming more energy-independent and climate-resilient.
For the community, the project creates opportunities for education, training, and participation. A dedicated Living Lab programme will support skills development in renewable energy and climate action, with workshops and public activities throughout the project. The hydropower sites will also be developed into accessible, visitor-friendly spaces that combine Galway’s heritage with sustainability.
Importantly, any income generated from the electricity produced will be reinvested locally, helping to fund public building energy upgrades, support community-led climate initiatives, and build on the city’s progress in tackling energy poverty and environmental challenges.
For the environment, the project reduces carbon emissions and makes better use of existing natural and built resources - all while protecting Galway City’s waterways. The hydropower technology is compact, low-impact, and designed to be safe for wildlife, fitting seamlessly into the city’s canal network.
Together, these benefits make WATERWAY a practical and forward-looking step toward a greener, stronger Galway.
 

Yes - the turbines being used in the WATERWAY project are designed with wildlife safety in mind.
Unlike large, open-blade turbines, this system is fully enclosed. Fish cannot enter the turbine chamber thanks to authorised smolt screens, which block their passage while allowing water to flow freely. Fish can migrate downstream as normal using existing bypasses and canal flows, and no equipment will be placed in the main Corrib River, where migration routes are most active.
The technology is also harmless to swans and other birds - the units are small, sealed, and placed in controlled canal settings. Because they are quiet and compact (some the size of a dinner plate), they blend into the environment without disturbing wildlife above or below the water.
This type of micro waterdrop turbine is already in use across Europe and beyond, with thousands of successful installations powering homes and communities. Galway’s system is tailored to the city’s historic canal network, ensuring that environmental protections are built into every step.
 

The WATERWAY Project runs from October 2025 to March 2029.
•    2025–2026: Planning, technical studies, and community engagement begin. Appropriate hydropower sites to be investigated and subsequent designs to be prepared.
•    2026–2027: Design and Installation of the first hydropower system and development of education and tourism plans.
•    2027–2028: Remaining systems are installed. Public programmes, workshops, and the Living Lab are rolled out.
•    2028–2029: Project results are evaluated and shared. Long-term plans for managing and expanding the impact are finalised.

Community involvement is a key part of the WATERWAY Project.
Throughout the project, there will be opportunities for residents, schools, and local groups to take part in a range of activities, including public workshops, site visits, and hands-on learning through our Living Lab programme. 
The Living Lab will host training sessions, talks, and events focused on renewable energy and climate action, giving people a chance to learn new skills and contribute ideas. Galway City Community Network will also lead regular engagement sessions to make sure community voices are included in decision-making.
Whether you’re interested in sustainability, education, or simply learning more about the project, there will be plenty of ways to get involved along the way. Details on how to participate will be shared on Galway City Council’s website and social media.
 

As of Q4 2025, the project is currently in its early conception phase, with site preparation, engineering studies, and public engagement underway. The locations for turbine installation will be finalised following detailed feasibility and environmental studies. 
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.
Sites with existing infrastructure are an excellent pilot site because they already have existing infrastructure, such as old millraces, water channels, and hydropower-related equipment, that make them suitable for installing modern, small-scale hydropower systems.
 

Although the funded phase of the WATERWAY Project ends in 2029, its impact will continue well beyond.
The project will undergo a project completion evaluation and the three hydropower systems could stay in operation. They’ll keep generating clean electricity for local infrastructure, and importantly, the revenue they produce will continue to be reinvested into local climate initiatives, supporting home energy upgrades, community programmes, and new sustainability efforts.
The education and engagement work carried out through the Living Lab will also have a lasting legacy. Training materials, partnerships, and public awareness activities developed during the project will continue to support green skills and climate action in Galway for years to come.
 

This page serves as the primary source. For media kits, high-resolution images, or interviews, contact the project lead. 
For official EU details, visit the European Urban Initiative website. For further information please contact climate@galwaycity.ie.