Public Consultation – Hydropower – June 15, 2025

TerraWater Institute’s Contribution to the Public Consultation on Hydropower

As part of the public consultation launched in June 2025 on the introduction of virtual hydropower capacities into wholesale electricity markets, the TerraWater Institute has submitted its response to the relevant authorities.

Our analysis is based on the legal, economic, and ethical challenges related to the renewal of hydropower concessions. It highlights the limitations of the scenarios currently under consideration and warns against the risks of favoritism or unjustified windfall profits if procedures are not properly regulated.

We advocate for a rigorous and pragmatic approach, which maintains historical operators while separating the management of hydropower infrastructure from the commercial valorization of electricity. This proposal aims to comply with European requirements without compromising the public interest or the operational efficiency of the French hydropower fleet.