Ardnacrusha Marks 100 Years of Hydro-Electricity
The University of Limerick recently hosted a major event to commemorate the centenary of the Shannon Electricity Act and the start of work on the Ardnacrusha hydro-electric power station—one of Ireland’s most significant infrastructure projects.
Ardnacrusha, located near Limerick, was built in the 1920s as part of the Shannon Scheme and remains Ireland’s largest hydro-electric power station. It was a groundbreaking development in harnessing renewable energy from the River Shannon and played a key role in electrifying the country.
The centenary event brought together academics, government officials including Minister of State Timmy Dooley, and representatives from Siemens Ireland and ESB, the state energy company founded to operate the station. Descendants of German engineers who helped build Ardnacrusha also attended, highlighting the important Irish-German collaboration behind the project.
Speakers reflected on the technical, historical, and cultural significance of Ardnacrusha, which continues to contribute to Ireland’s renewable energy supply. An exhibition at UL showcased early 20th-century maps, photographs, and documents related to the station and its surrounding area.
The event concluded with a guided tour of the Ardnacrusha Power Station, which remains operational today. ESB highlighted how the station’s legacy supports Ireland’s ongoing goal of a secure, decarbonised electricity system by 2040, using the country’s natural resources to provide clean energy.
