At 17% of the European electricity output, hydropower is the major renewable energy source. Yet this well-established technology is barely referred to when it comes to the future of the European energy system. In addition to being the most competitive renewable energy technology, hydropower can also balance the electricity supply, store energy and provide water integrated management such as flood and drought control. However, in parallel, hydropower is considered as one of the main drivers to hydro-morphological pressures and impacts under the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). The objective of the session is to contribute to the sustainable development of hydro resources in Europe in order to satisfy both the objectives of the WFD and the EU targets in terms of climate mitigation and development of renewable energy sources.