Electrabel, the Belgian utility subsidiary of Suez Group, has acquired an additional 59.6% stake in Société Hydro-Electrique du Midi (SHEM) from Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF).

As Electrabel already held a 40% stake the company now holds 99.6% of the share capital of SHEM which operates 49 hydroelectric power stations situated in the Pyrenees and in the Central Massif of France.

The €504.5M (US$656M) deal adds 773 MW of peak generation to Electrabel’s French portfolio, which includes the 2937MW Compagnie Nationale du Rhône base load hydro capacity.