Media release

Strategic agreement for the Lac Blanc / Lac Noir hydroelectric power plant project

12/08/2025, 09:00 | Media release

Paris, Lausanne, and Colmar – On Thursday 4 December 2025, Alpiq and Vialis officially entered into a strategic agreement to advance the Lac Blanc / Lac Noir hydroelectric power plant project in the Vosges region of Alsace. This partnership aligns with the French government's forthcoming call for tenders, which is anticipated in mid-2026.

Alpiq, a leading player in the European energy sector, and Vialis, a regional French distribution company based in Haut-Rhin, have announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement. This collaboration aims to present a joint bid for the public call for tenders to operate the Lac Blanc / Lac Noir hydroelectric concession, a former pumped storage power station located in Orbey, Haut-Rhin. As part of the Multi-Year Energy Program (PPE), this project is expected to help revitalize hydroelectric investment in France, providing crucial storage capacity to support the ongoing energy transition. With a capacity of 50 to 70 MW and around ten hours of storage, the facility – out of service since 2012 – will require a complete rebuild and renovation of its waterways.

By combining their complementary strengths, Alpiq and Vialis are committed to delivering a reliable and responsible solution tailored to address the region's specific energy and environmental needs.

 

Alpiq: over a century of hydraulic expertise supporting security of supply

With the Lac Blanc / Lac Noir project, Alpiq aims to further strengthen its role in the flexibility market, contributing to France’s security of energy supply. As part of its strategic vision, Alpiq is investing in a range of flexible solutions across Europe. The company draws on more than a century of expertise in hydropower, particularly in pumped storage technology. Notably, Alpiq oversaw the construction of the 900 MW Nant de Drance pumped storage plant, commissioned in 2022 near the French-Swiss border. In France, Alpiq is advancing energy flexibility for both producers and consumers through demand response initiatives, while also developing its first 100 MW battery project in the Oise region.

Since launching its supply and aggregation business in 2002, Alpiq has managed over 25 TWh of energy annually in France. Alpiq’s enduring relationship with France is further demonstrated by its joint management of hydroelectric assets such as the Emosson dam, as well as its long-standing co-investment in nuclear assets at the Cattenom and Fessenheim power plants.

"With this agreement, Alpiq reaffirms its longstanding commitment to maintaining strong ties with France. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategy of investing in flexible energy solutions to advance energy transition. Our proven expertise in this field is a key asset in the development of the Lac Blanc / Lac Noir project, enabling us to contribute to the stability of the electricity grid," says Amédée Murisier, member of Alpiq's Executive Board.

 

Vialis: A trusted regional energy partner rooted in Alsace

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, “Vialis Solutions EnR” (Renewable Energies), which is already active in renewable energy production through photovoltaic parks, Vialis recognizes a significant opportunity to participate in this project. Its proximity – just 32 kilometers and 40 minutes from Orbey – positions Vialis to make a meaningful contribution to the region’s energy transition.

Vialis brings a strong understanding of regional issues and maintains close relationships with local stakeholders and elected officials. This enables the company to actively engage in public consultations, participate in municipal bodies, and collaborate on environmental initiatives.

Benoît Schnell, Managing Director of Vialis, states, “We are convinced that our local presence is a genuine strength. This is a landmark facility, and it is only fitting that a rooted local company takes an active role.”

 

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Photo: © Besoin d’R

About Alpiq

With operations spanning across Europe and a leading position in Switzerland, the Alpiq Group is engaged throughout the entire energy value chain – including energy generation, marketing and optimisation. Seventy-five percent of its electricity generation in Europe (5 GW) is carbon-free, primarily due to its reliance on hydropower.

In France, Alpiq stands among the principal suppliers of electricity and natural gas. The company is also a recognized aggregator of decentralized energy production facilities, adept at managing both flexible and intermittent sources. Leveraging its deep expertise in the electricity market, Alpiq supports producers of renewable energy – such as wind, solar, hydro, and energy-from-waste – by providing a comprehensive portfolio of services tailored to their specific needs, regardless of whether their assets benefit from public support.

For more information about Alpiq, visit www.alpiq.com.

 

About the Vialis Group

With more than a century of history (180 years old in 2025), Vialis is a semi-public limited company established in 2004 to continue and expand the activities of the Régie Municipale de Colmar. Supported by a dedicated team of 280 employees based in Colmar and Neuf-Brisach, Vialis is a people-focused company that places a strong emphasis on local engagement every day. The company operates across several sectors: energy (electricity and gas) as a generator, distribution network manager and supplier, telecommunications (TV, Internet, fixed and mobile telephony), and community services such as lighting and signage.

Vialis’ long-term vision is clear and compelling: to connect the people of Alsace and drive the energy transition of tomorrow. The company is committed to shaping a smarter, more sustainable, and more connected region by integrating energy, technology, and human considerations into its development strategy.

The Vialis Group is composed of various subsidiaries (marketing company “ALSEN”, Colmar District Heating Company “SCCU”, solar parks). Vialis is dedicated to promoting the complementarity of different energy sources and ensuring a diverse range of solutions. This commitment is reflected in its ongoing projects to diversify energy supplies – such as electricity, gas, heat, and hydropower. Vialis actively seeks out opportunities to enhance the energy mix, which is vital for France’s energy security and independence.

For more information about Vialis, visit www.societe.vialis.net.