In an open letter addressed to the heads of states and governments, the organisations, which include Alstom, Eurelectric, and the European Small Hydropower Association, said that “strong, reliable, and effective policies and a climate and energy policy framework for 2030” are needed to allow hydro power to develop across Europe.
The group also called on the European Council to increase the awareness of the “positive role” of hydropower for the European energy system.
The letter added that pumped and reservoir hydropower plants “support the penetration of variable renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar” and has “an important role in stabilising the electricity grid”.
The coalition of organisations also stated that hydro power in Europe provided close to 18 per cent of energy consumption and “plays an important role in contributing to the security of supply and more competiveness in the European Union”.
UK energy secretary Ed Davey has called on the EU to set an “ambitious” target of reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
In June, he said: “Europe should adopt an ambitious emissions reductions target for 2030, delivered in a flexible, technology neutral way, supported by a robust, reformed emissions trading system, and underpinned by a global agreement in 2015.”