France said it intended to start tenders for hydropower concessions in the first half of 2014. Bloomberg reported that the move would help bring competition to the hydroelectric market in the country.

The country's ministers of finance, budget and environment wrote the state auditor urging competition. They wrote, "Competition is the best legal solution." Earlier, French President Francois Hollande did not proceed with the tender of 5,300 megawatt-capacity of electricity. The plan was initially espoused by Former President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Cour des Comptes, the auditor had earlier criticized the government for its indecisiveness in initiating the tender. The auditor said the uncertainty could cost the country royalties amounting to hundreds of millions of euros.

Hydroelectric plants come second to nuclear reactors in providing power to France. These hydropower plants are now managed by Electricite de France and GDF Suez. Both are monopoly utility firms. The plan for the tender, however, would have the government categorizing them by valley into concessions. The expiration dates for their operating contracts would also be adjusted. The monopoly utilities said they would fight to keep its contracts.