THE CENTENARY
10th edition of the Business Hydro show: A year of Centenary and history
Celebrating 100 Years of Hydroelectricity and Innovation
For the 10th edition of the Business Hydro Show, we are paying tribute to an emblematic milestone in Grenoble’s history: the Centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of White Coal and Tourism. This exhibition, which marked Grenoble’s entry onto the international scene as the capital of hydroelectricity, represents a century of technological progress and economic development driven by hydropower. The 2025 edition of our show is an opportunity to celebrate the innovation and dynamism that have made Grenoble and the surrounding area a key centre for hydropower and sustainable development.
A pioneering source of energy and a unique industrial heritage
The history of hydroelectricity in Isère dates back to 1925, when the international exhibition devoted to ‘Houille Blanche’ – a term coined by Aristide Bergès to designate hydraulic energy – highlighted the immense potential of this natural resource. The same term, as opposed to ‘houille noire’ for coal, was used to describe a new, environmentally-friendly form of energy that rapidly transformed the Grenoble basin and gave a boost to the Oisans region. Hydroelectricity has not only enabled industrial and tourism development, but has also become a key element in the region’s identity.
A Festive and Innovative Centenary Programme
In 2025, the centenary celebrations will bring together economic, scientific, cultural and institutional players in a collaborative and open approach. The Grenoble metropolitan area, the Grésivaudan and Oisans local authorities, and a host of businesses and associations will be joining forces to offer the public a rich and varied programme of events, including conferences, visits to historic sites, discussions on the future of hydroelectricity in the French energy mix, and immersive experiences to help you understand the challenges of this renewable energy.
At the heart of the show: Towards a sustainable future
The 10th Business Hydro Show will be the focal point of this historic and visionary celebration. It will enable professionals, experts, students and the general public to discover how hydroelectricity, born in the streams and rivers of Isère, continues to play a key role in today’s energy transition. We invite you to join us as we explore a century of ingenuity and consider the future potential of this vital renewable energy.
Join us to celebrate 100 years of history and discover the future of hydropower at Business Hydro 2025!