CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhône)

CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhône) is a French company created in 1933 under the Rhône law to develop the Rhône river. It is a société anonyme d'intérêt général with a balanced public-private shareholding: Groupe Caisse des Dépôts holds 33.2%, local authorities 16.83%, and the ENGIE group 49.97%. For over 90 years, CNR has carried out three solidarity missions entrusted by the State: hydroelectric production, navigation, and irrigation, with constant attention to environmental and biodiversity preservation. Today it positions itself as a pioneer of the energy transition, innovating through its subsidiaries to build a 100% renewable energy mix (hydraulic, wind and solar) serving regional needs. Its activities also include port development, engineering, sustainable agriculture, and ecological restoration of the Rhône. CNR is headquartered in Lyon and operates mainly in France.

CNR was founded in 1933 under the Rhône law, promulgated in 1921 and applied in 1931. Its foundations were laid by two visionary politicians: Léon Perrier, deputy then senator and president of the Isère General Council from 1910 to 1940, and Édouard Herriot, mayor of Lyon, senator, deputy for the Rhône, minister and president of the Council. Both were convinced of the potential of hydroelectric energy and created a unique concession model for the development of their territory. Léon Perrier invented the CNR model: entrusting the development of the Rhône to a single executive body, with local authorities as shareholders and stakeholders. Édouard Herriot formulated CNR's development scheme: financing, through the sale of hydroelectricity, the infrastructure needed for navigation and irrigation along the Rhône. In 1934, the State granted CNR the Rhône concession for 75 years, obliging it to three solidarity missions: hydroelectric production, navigation and irrigation. Work began in 1935 with the port of Lyon. Since then, CNR has been a pioneer of decarbonized energy, building and preserving a unique industrial heritage. In 2003, its shareholding was rebalanced between public and private: Groupe Caisse des Dépôts and local authorities hold a majority (50.03%), while ENGIE holds 49.97%. A new law 'Aménagement du Rhône' of 28 February 2022 updated its framework. CNR continues to innovate for a 100% renewable energy mix and the ecological transition of territories.

• 2022

  New 'Aménagement du Rhône' law of 28 February

• 2021

  Laurence Borie-Bancel appointed President of the Directoire on 17 December

• 2003

  Rebalancing of shareholding between public and private

• 1935

  Start of work on the port of Lyon

• 1934

  Rhône concession granted to CNR for 75 years

• 1933

  Creation of CNR

• 1931

  Application of the Rhône law

• 1921

  Promulgation of the Rhône law

Pioneer and advocate of the energy transition, committed to the ecological transition of territories with renewed industrial expertise.

• Hydroelectricity

• Wind power

• Solar power

• Navigation and port development

• Irrigation and sustainable agriculture

• Engineering

• Ecological restoration

1. 1Compagnie Nationale du Rhône | CNRcnr.tm.fr
2. 2Histoire de la Compagnie Nationale du Rhône | CNRcnr.tm.fr
3. 3A propos | CNRcnr.tm.fr
4. 4Gouvernance & Organisation | CNRcnr.tm.fr
5. 5CN'Airwikidata.org