ETIP Hydropower highlights hydropower’s role in Europe’s energy transition

As the European energy system becomes increasingly reliant on variable renewable generation, hydropower is once again moving to the centre of the discussion. At the heart of this renewed focus is ETIP Hydropower, a key European forum bringing together stakeholders from across the hydropower value chain to define research, innovation and policy priorities for the sector. The platform acts as a central coordination point linking industry, academia, research organisations, policymakers and civil society. Its mission is twofold: to shape a common research and innovation agenda for hydropower and to support the deployment of solutions aligned with European climate and energy objectives. Through this work, ETIP Hydropower provides consensus-based strategic advice to the European Commission and contributes to implementation of the SET Plan.

Today, the platform represents a growing network of more than 1000 stakeholders across Europe, covering the entire hydropower value chain, from technology providers and plant operators to researchers, NGOs and policy actors.

From forum to strategic platform

ETIP Hydropower builds on the foundations established by the HYDROPOWER EUROPE Forum, which between 2018 and 2022 created a structured dialogue across the sector and delivered both a Research and Innovation Agenda (RIA) and a Strategic Industry Roadmap (SIR).

Since then, ETIP Hydropower has evolved into a recognised interlocutor for European institutions, strengthening coordination across stakeholders and consolidating hydropower’s place within wider European energy discussions.

The current phase of the platform, running from 2026 to 2028, reinforces this mandate by aligning sector priorities with EU climate and energy policy, supporting implementation of the SET Plan and working towards greater recognition of hydropower within European strategic frameworks.

This evolution has transformed ETIP Hydropower from a consultation forum into a strategic platform helping shape policy, innovation and research directions for hydropower in Europe.

Delivering flexibility and resilience

ETIP Hydropower’s strategic priorities are centred on positioning hydropower as a core enabler of a renewable, flexible and resilient energy system.

A central focus is flexibility and storage. Hydropower remains the only proven large-scale technology capable of providing both flexibility and long-duration energy storage across all timescales, from seconds to seasonal balancing. This capability is increasingly important as growing volumes of wind and solar generation are integrated into European grids.

Research priorities include innovation in pumped-storage hydropower, retrofitting and modernising existing assets, hybrid renewable systems and digital optimisation technologies designed to maximise system value and operational efficiency.

Environmental sustainability is another major area of activity. Working alongside EERA, ETIP Hydropower has developed a series of white papers examining practical solutions for environmental flows and hydropeaking, fish mobility and sediment management.

These contributions support ongoing policy discussions surrounding the Water Framework Directive and the Nature Restoration Regulation while demonstrating that modern hydropower can evolve towards nature-positive solutions that combine technical performance with biodiversity protection.

Climate mitigation and adaptation represent a further strategic pillar. Hydropower contributes to climate mitigation through low-carbon, dispatchable electricity generation while also supporting adaptation through water management, drought resilience and flood control. Reservoirs increasingly are being recognised as multi-purpose assets capable of strengthening both energy and water resilience.

The platform also serves as an innovation hub through project clustering activities that follow the progress of European research projects, disseminate results through newsletters and webinars, and facilitate exchanges between project teams. Dedicated sessions at conferences and specialist webinars help ensure lessons learned from research activities are shared across the sector.

Brussels focus

This work culminates each year in Brussels Hydropower Day, ETIP Hydropower’s flagship event. The 2026 edition, taking place on 8 September, will focus on digitalisation and energy security within Europe’s evolving energy and geopolitical landscape.

Discussions will examine how digitally enabled hydropower can strengthen system resilience, enhance flexibility and reduce exposure to price volatility by maximising the value of domestic energy assets. By bringing together policymakers, industry, academia and civil society, the event aims to connect technological advances and operational experience with policy and investment needs for Europe’s clean, competitive and secure energy future.

Challenges and opportunities

Hydropower remains a cornerstone of Europe’s energy system, generating around 650TWh annually and representing a significant share of renewable electricity production in many countries.

Nevertheless, the sector faces several structural challenges. Policy and regulatory complexity, particularly around environmental frameworks, continues to create uncertainty. Existing market designs frequently undervalue flexibility and storage services, while permitting constraints and public acceptance issues can delay projects. Investment levels also remained subdued for much of the past decade, only recently showing signs of recovery.

At the same time, significant opportunities are emerging. Demand for long-duration energy storage is increasing rapidly, while modernisation and optimisation of existing assets offer substantial gains in efficiency and flexibility. Multipurpose and hybrid systems are attracting growing interest, and hydropower’s contribution to energy security and system stability is receiving greater recognition
from policymakers.

Recent energy crises have further highlighted the value of reliable domestic generation and storage assets in ensuring secure and independent electricity supplies.

Policy priorities

ETIP Hydropower argues that future policy frameworks must recognise hydropower’s full system value, extending beyond electricity generation alone.

Key priorities include stronger integration of hydropower within the SET Plan and wider European energy strategies, market mechanisms that reward flexibility, storage and ancillary services, and streamlined permitting procedures that maintain robust environmental safeguards while reducing unnecessary delays.

The platform also calls for increased support for innovation and investment in modernisation projects.

As Europe moves towards climate neutrality by 2050, hydropower’s role is expected to become increasingly important. Dispatchable renewable generation, storage capacity and grid services will all be essential for integrating large volumes of wind and solar power while maintaining system reliability.

Looking ahead

Over the next decade, the European hydropower sector is expected to enter a renewed phase of development driven by expansion of pumped-storage capacity, modernisation of ageing infrastructure, deployment of hybrid renewable systems and increasing digitalisation.

Significant new capacity is already in planning, leading many observers to speak of a potential renaissance for hydropower in Europe.

Innovation efforts are likely to focus increasingly on balancing environmental sustainability with system needs through improved ecological solutions, enhanced biodiversity measures and multi-purpose approaches to water management.

Alongside these developments, ETIP Hydropower will continue its role as a convening platform through Brussels Hydropower Day, specialist webinars such as the “Boosting Hydropower” series, white papers and strategic publications, and continuous engagement through working groups and consultations.

Stakeholders can participate by joining the General Assembly or thematic working groups, contributing to consultations and policy discussions, or taking part in collaborative research and innovation activities. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydropower-europe/

Contact: inunez@zabala.eu