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.
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.
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, told us: “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.”
