The power of water has been known for centuries. Converting this power into electricity has now been in vogue for over a hundred years. The Netherlands has limited opportunities for hydropower plants. Our country is flat and height differences are few. Rivers like the Meuse and Rhine have a mild flow pattern with little potential for power generation. Moreover, many waterways in the Netherlands have been canalised and are kept at an artificial level with weirs, further hindering the natural flow. Nevertheless, a small number of small hydropower plants are in operation in the Netherlands, including RWE's in Linne (Limburg).

In Luxembourg, there is more height difference and the situation is different. In Vianden, RWE has access to electricity production from the reservoir power plant there. RWE also has several types of hydropower plants in Germany and the UK.