Small hydropower development on the Rhône river, France

Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), one of the major players in hydropower generation in France, with 25 per cent of national hydroelectric production, has an important role to play in the field of sustainable hydropower development. To limit production losses resulting from the increase in reserved (environmental) flows, CNR has scheduled the construction of small hydro plants at some of its diversion dams: Chautagne, Belley, Péage de Roussillon, Bourg Les Valence, Beauchastel, Logis-Neuf, Montélimar, Donzère-Mondragon and Vallabrègues. This paper describes the project planning of new developments along the whole Rhône river managed by CNR.