Galway City
WATERWAY - Water And Tourism Energy Resources for a Winning Active Galway
WATERWAY is reimagining Galway’s historic waterways as engines of clean energy, climate action and community enhancement. Through the installation of three small-scale hydropower systems, the project generates renewable electricity to decarbonise public infrastructure. Savings will be reinvested into retrofitting buildings and scaling up climate solutions. By blending sustainability with cultural heritage, community engagement and support, WATERWAY will accelerate Galway’s journey to climate neutrality by 2050.
Our main challenges...
Energy poverty and low uptake of renewables limit Galway’s just transition to climate neutrality.
Lack of sustainable funding streams undermines long-term investment in local climate initiatives.
The pace of upskilling in the green economy is too slow to meet workforce demands and project needs.
and proposed solutions
Install and connect three small-scale hydropower systems to Galway’s public infrastructure, supporting direct municipal energy generation and decarbonisation.
Develop a digital energy dashboard and a practical model to manage renewable energy assets and channel financial returns into priority local climate initiatives, with structured input from local stakeholders.
Activate Galway’s waterways as public assets by developing a heritage and energy trail – including an outdoor museum – that merges cultural storytelling with environmental awareness.
Key figures
Milestones
First canal-based hydropower system fully installed and starts generating renewable electricity
Interpretive trail opens across three key cultural sites along the canal linking heritage, energy and tourism
First ever cohort of Galway students and residents trained in hydropower tech and energy literacy
Galway approves policy to reinvest energy savings into local climate initiatives
