About CIGRE
CIGRE is a non-profit and independent organization established 100 years ago to support the development of electricity. With more than 21 000 members in over 140 countries, combining local expertise with global vision, the CIGRE community integrates all players in the electricity value chain.
It brings together researchers, engineers, suppliers, regulators, and other decision makers, all committed to sharing knowledge and collaborating to ensure a reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply for all.
By offering access to working groups, state of the art technical publications, and world-class events such as the Paris Session, CIGRE helps its members consolidate their expertise, develop practical recommendations and find innovative solutions.
Over the years, CIGRE has been able to adapt to the incredible growth of the electricity sector. Today, as electricity penetrates every aspect of life (homes, mobility, healthcare, industry…), CIGRE meets current societal and environmental challenges, positioning itself as a key enabler of the energy sector.
From August 23 to 28, 2026, Paris will host the latest edition of the CIGRE Session, one of the world’s most influential events dedicated to power systems and electrical networks.
Held every two years, the event brings together thousands of engineers, researchers, utility experts, manufacturers, technology providers, and policymakers from more than 100 countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of electricity.
The Paris Session serves as the culmination of two years of collaborative work carried out by CIGRE’s Study Committees, providing a unique forum for presenting technical achievements, sharing operational experience, and exploring emerging technologies.
The 2026 edition takes place at a pivotal moment for the energy sector. Around the world, electricity networks are undergoing profound transformation driven by decarbonization objectives, large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, electrification of transportation and industry, and increasing demands for grid resilience. These trends are placing unprecedented pressure on transmission and distribution systems, while also creating opportunities for innovation and modernization.
The technical program will feature hundreds of papers, panel sessions, work shops, and expert discussions covering every aspect of the electricity value chain, from generation and transmission to distribution and end-user applications. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange best practices, review recent research findings, and examine real-world case studies from utilities and system operators worldwide.
Complementing the conference, the associated technical exhibition will showcase the latest innovations in equipment, software, monitoring systems, automation technologies, and digital solutions. The exhibition provides an important platform for industry leaders to demonstrate how new technologies can support the transition toward more sustainable, reliable, and efficient power systems.
Beyond its technical significance, the CIGRE Session remains a strategic meeting point for the global electricity community. As power systems become increasingly central to achieving climate and energy goals, CIGRE Paris 2026 is expected to play a key role in fostering international collaboration and shaping the future direction of the industry.
This article was originally published in the June 2026 issue of the Grid Modernization and Flexibility magazine.
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