This report describes and scrutinizes hydropower regimes through a unified analysis framework to ensure their comparison on an equal basis. This framework is structured around 4 blocks: (1) the institutional framework of hydropower regimes (e.g. type of rights to use hydropower, authorities granting rights to use hydropower, etc.); (2) the framework for granting right to use hydropower (duration of rights and procedure, competitive process and existence of a possible EC infringement procedure); (3) the obligations of the hydropower operator (environmental and investment obligations and royalties); and (4) small hydro characterisation and support schemes.