Hydroelectricity: French Senate adopts draft law in public session

The bill to boost investment in the hydroelectricity sector in order to contribute to the energy transition, tabled by Marie-Noëlle Battistel (Socialistes et apparentés) and Philippe Bolo (Les Démocrates), was adopted with amendments by the French Senate on 13/04/2026.

The PPL translates into French law the agreement in principle between the Government and the European Commission to end the pre-litigation concerning the legal regime for hydroelectric concessions.

This preliminary agreement, reached in the summer of 2025, is made up of three parts:
• The transition from a concession system to an authorisation system for the use of hydropower, with the exception of the works under the Rhône concession operated by the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, which is covered by a specific legislative status.
• The possibility for current concession holders operating facilities of more than 4,500 kW to continue their activities while maintaining State ownership of the facilities.
• EDF’s provision of virtual hydroelectric capacity (6 GW) to third parties, ultimately benefiting consumers.

Maud…