Parliamentary question - O-000074/2016Parliamentary question
O-000074/2016

Hydroelectric sector in Europe

29.4.2016

Question for oral answer O-000074/2016
to the Commission
Rule 128
Patrizia Toia, Jean-Paul Denanot, on behalf of the S&D Group
Antonio Tajani, Françoise Grossetête, on behalf of the PPE Group
Michèle Rivasi, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

Hydroelectricity is a leading source of energy in liberalised electricity systems: historically the first renewable energy, and the biggest in terms of volume, it still today meets Europe’s energy and environmental objectives. Water resources are strategically important for achieving the goals of decarbonising and they promote the integration of variable renewable energy sources into the market, particularly given their storage capacity. Hydropower, by its nature, can play a key role in achieving the objectives for 2030, as well as the current and future objectives of the Energy Union. Hydroelectric plants generate resources for the areas in which they are located, through various charges and taxes, as well as for other local authorities.

A recent study by the Florence School of Regulation entitled ‘Regimes for granting right to use hydropower in Europe’ highlights the diverse nature of regimes regulating the hydropower sector.

Each Member State has independently defined the rules applying to the duration, procedures for granting and renewal of the right to use water for hydroelectric purposes. The lack of coherence across the EU and of reciprocity in terms of access to strategic resources could have a negative impact on the development of the internal energy market.

Given the differences which exist among EU countries in terms of the conditions of access to water resources, could the Commission clarify the position of the sector in Europe?

Is the Commission not concerned that measures such as hastily granted hydropower concessions in some countries without an overall approach could create distortions between operators and, ultimately, in the common energy market?

With a view to creating a genuine Energy Union, how does the Commission intend to initiate a European debate aimed at promoting greater convergence in the hydroelectric sector, taking into account the differences in terms of regimes, granting procedures and rights assigned to regions and concession-holders?