Renewables permitting is still too slow. Good rules are in place – it’s time to finally deliver

To meet our 2030 climate and energy targets, the EU must more than double its installed renewable  capacity, reaching 750 GW of solar and 425 GW of wind. But deployment is falling short. Permitting remains one of the biggest barriers. This undermines EU competitiveness and energy security. The rules are in place. The Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII) provides the right tools to accelerate RES deployment. Yet Member States missed the June 2024 deadline for implementation, prompting infringement procedures from the Commission. One year later, implementation is still not up to par.
 

Instead of simplifying permitting, many Governments have created new layers of complexity, delay and legal uncertainty. Reforms often remain theoretical, poorly enforced or overinterpreted
resulting in little real-world impact. Meanwhile, the EU Emergency Regulation applying to renewables permitting expires on 30 June, risking legal uncertainty where REDIII remains unimplemented. 

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