Driving research,
innovation and collaboration
for hydropower in Europe

Strengthen the ETIP HYDROPOWER platform as a recognised, independent network connecting hydropower stakeholders across Europe
Support the development of the SET Plan and contribute to its ongoing implementation
Provide consensus-based strategic advice to decision makers including both policymakers and the European hydropower sector
Align sector research and innovation priorities and support with EU climate, energy and environmental policies

Tracking and maintaining a current Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
Supporting hydropower representation within the European SET Plan through support to the Hydropower Implementation Working Group
Organisation of the Brussels Hydropower Day plus a rolling programme of webinars, and workshops
Promoting and magnifying the outreach of other European hydropower projects and initiatives through clustering activities
Collaboration with other ETIPs and EU clean energy initiatives
Maintaining, tracking and promoting European hydropower research actions through the Hydropower Research & Innovation (HERI) Platform

ETIP HYDROPOWER contributes to:

Strategic advice and direction for the role of hydropower within the European SET Plan
Prioritisation of European research and innovation actions and funding, to support the role of hydropower in the European clean energy transition
Stronger policy alignment and decision-making for the hydropower sector in Europe, helping to deliver European climate, energy and environmental policies
Greater societal awareness of the role of hydropower in providing a reliable, flexible and sustainable European energy system
Greater cohesion and networking between stakeholders across the European hydropower sector

Hydropower plays a vital role in delivering a resilient, secure and competitive European energy system. As Europe’s largest source of stored energy and second-largest renewable electricity source, it uniquely combines flexible low-carbon generation, long-duration storage and multi-purpose water management.

By providing dispatchable and climate-adaptive capacity – including through pumped storage – hydropower enables the integration of wind and solar power, strengthens security of supply and enhances system resilience. At the same time, modernisation, digitalisation and hybrid solutions allow existing assets to deliver greater efficiency and value.

Beyond energy, hydropower also supports water resilience – an increasingly important pillar of EU policy – contributing to flood management, drought mitigation and long-term climate adaptation.

Strategic Role and Objectives

Over the 2026–2028 period, ETIP HYDROPOWER will:

Consolidate and strengthen its position as a recognised, independent European stakeholder network for hydropower
Support the implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and its Integrated Roadmap
Provide consensus-based strategic advice to European institutions, SET Plan governance structures and the hydropower sector
Align hydropower research and innovation priorities with evolving EU climate, energy and industrial policies
Ensure long-term organisational sustainability through the transition towards a self-funded platform

To fulfil this role, ETIP HYDROPOWER implements a governance structure that enables structured interaction with the SET Plan and active cooperation with other European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) and stakeholder fora. This strengthens coordination across sectors and supports more interconnected European research and innovation activities.