Galway is surrounded by flowing water with the potential to generate electricity for the city.
In the past the waterways of Galway city have been tapped to provide energy for industry. The era of water powered mills may be over, but there has been a renewed interest in the establishment of a hydroelectric scheme for Galway.
Environmental historian Maurice Semple is among those who believe Galway should utilise the natural resource available on the city's doorstep,
To generate and supply into the national grid...electricity.
Most of the city's disused mills have been bulldozed and their turbines broken up and sold for scrap metal. A team from the Engineering Department at University College Galway (UCG) have been studying the viability of a small-scale hydroelectric scheme, funded by the Department of Industry and Energy.
Colm Walsh from UCG explains, how they worked with the original manufacturers to bring an old turbine, back to working order and with modern engineering create a hydroelectric plant. He describes it as,
A labour of love.
Similar schemes are underway around the country, and according to Professor of Mechanical Engineering Seán McNamara, these small plants could making a considerable contribution to energy needs and create local employment. They can also be maintained without much difficulty as hydroelectricity is,
A very established technology.
Studies are ongoing to investigate the development of more small-scale hydroelectric power plants along Galway’s waterways. Maurice Semple believes that a return to water as a source of power in Galway can only be of benefit,
We can contribute considerably to the national grid.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 19 January 1984. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
