Galway Proposes €70 Million District Heating Network for City

Plans for a substantial district heating network have been submitted to Galway City Council, marking a significant step towards enhancing the city’s energy efficiency. The proposed project, spearheaded by HeatGrid Ireland, involves the construction of a new energy centre at the Galway Crystal site near Merlin Park. This initiative aims to create an extensive underground network of pipes, spanning approximately 8 kilometers, to distribute low-carbon heat throughout several areas, including Renmore, Mervue, Murrough, Merlin Park, and Rosshill.

The project, estimated to cost €70 million, will initially provide heating services to major facilities such as Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway and three hospitals located on the eastern side of the city. In subsequent phases, the network is expected to expand, connecting residential and additional commercial properties to the system.

An energy centre generates renewable heat by heating water to around 80 °C. This hot water is then transported through the pipe network to various buildings, allowing customers to purchase heat similarly to how they currently acquire gas or electricity.

Second District Heating Scheme for Galway

This application represents the second district heating scheme submitted for approval within the last month. Earlier, another proposal was lodged for an energy centre in Doughiska, close to the NCT centre. This facility would utilize a combination of renewable energy technologies to distribute heat along a network exceeding 2 kilometers to existing businesses, with future plans to service homes in the Doughiska and Ardaun regions.

City planners are set to make a decision next week regarding the Doughiska project, which would entail underground piping along Doughiska Road, crossing Old Ballybrit Road to the north and extending towards the Clayton Hotel. Additionally, the pipeline would navigate southward across Old Dublin Road, reaching as far as the Castlegar GAA Club.

The new project proposed by HeatGrid at the Galway Crystal premises was first presented to city councillors in May 2023. During this presentation, it was described as Ireland’s largest low-carbon district heating initiative, with operations expected to begin within four years. HeatGrid officials indicated that the project could significantly reduce carbon emissions for various large buildings—including three hospitals (Merlin Park, Galway Clinic, and Bons Secours), the Garda Headquarters in Murrough, and the potentially planned new City Hall at Crown Square—by up to two-thirds.

Environmental Impact and Future Expansion

This ambitious project has the potential to deliver 55 GWh of low-carbon heat, resulting in annual carbon dioxide savings exceeding 9,000 tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to the carbon footprint of more than 4,000 homes, representing a significant advancement in Galway’s sustainability efforts.

As Galway moves forward with its district heating initiatives, the decisions made by city planners in the coming weeks will play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy consumption and environmental impact in the region. The outcomes of these projects promise not only to enhance the city’s infrastructure but also to contribute to broader efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions across Ireland.