Maritime·New locks in the Albert canal in Flanders, Belgium·—·New locks in the Albert canal in Flanders, Belgium

Albert Canal Archimedes Screw Pumping Stations

€7–7.5m per lock · 3M kWh annual generation · 40M tonnes freight protected from drought

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Key insight

The screws generate more electricity than they consume and produce 3 million kWh annually — meaning the adaptation effectively pays for itself over time through energy revenue while also protecting freight operations.

Transferability to UK: LowLimited direct applicability to UK where commercial inland waterway freight volumes are much lower than European waterways.

Six lock systems along Belgium's 80-mile Albert Canal were fitted with world-scale Archimedes screws that pump water back up the canal during drought-induced low flows (maintaining commercial navigation for 40 million tonnes of annual freight) and generate 3 million kWh of renewable electricity per year when water levels are high.

Climate drivers

Drought

Impacts

→Low water levels→Canal navigation disruption→Economic loss from freight stoppage

Adaptation measures

  • Archimedes screw pumping stations
  • Hydroelectric power generation
  • Water level management
  • Multi-use lock infrastructure

Assets affected

CanalLocksWaterway infrastructure

Investment

€7–7.5m per lock system (6 locks total)

Band: £10m–£100m

Delivery period

—

  • The Albert Canal is an 80 mile long waterway that connects the harbour in Antwerp with the industrial zones in Liège in Belgium . T
  • he canal is an important economic waterway and transports 40 million tonnes of goods per year via containers 2,8,9 ; however, the canal becomes less suitable for commercial shipping during periods of low water flow from its source, the River Meuse 3,6 .
  • The Albert Canal experiences fluctuating water levels due to alternating periods of heavy rainfall and extended periods of drought 4,11 , which is expected to be exacerbated in future by climate change 1,6 and there is uncertainty about the level of ongoing water supply from the River Meuse 5,14 .
  • In recent years Flanders has experienced prolonged droughts that have increased the strain on its water supply and canal system 11 .
  • Archimedes screws were installed along the Albert Canal to avoid economic losses from reduced traffic due to reduced water availability and low river discharge 2,3,6 .

Ref: ID_04 · New locks in the Albert canal in Flanders, Belgium · Curated & verified by HIVE

Transferability to UK: Low

Limited direct applicability to UK where commercial inland waterway freight volumes are much lower than European waterways. However, the combined pump/hydropower approach could be relevant where UK canal cross-catchment water transfer strategies are considered (e.g. Grand Union Canal).

UK contexts

Grand Union Canal water transfer corridorUK inland waterways with commercial freightCombined water resource and transport infrastructure

Applicable UK-wide

Transfer to other sectors (AI)