Implementation Dialogue: Permitting for renewable energy projects and related infrastructure

Taking place in the framework of European Sustainable Energy Week, the Implementation Dialogue with Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, will gather various stakeholders to discuss the implementation of EU legislation on speeding up and simplifying permitting processes to achieve the goal of at least 42.5% renewable energy in final energy consumption by 2030. 

This will require the massive upscaling of renewable energy deployment across Member States, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal and of the Affordable Energy Action Plan. 

Principal delays in permit approval come from too many uncoordinated processes, lengthy procedures (especially for environmental permits), staff shortages, slow grid connection steps, outdated systems, and poor spatial planning. 

Accelerating the rollout of clean energy infrastructure is a cornerstone of EU energy policy, and this discussion will explore whether the rules in place are delivering the intended results, and what could be changed to speed up Europe’s clean energy transition. 

Objectives

The dialogue aims to

1. Assess the effectiveness of the legislative framework, with focus on the Renewable Energy Directive and the Emergency Regulation on addressing barriers and accelerating permitting for renewables and related infrastructure.  

2. Identify the remaining challenges (legal, administrative, practical, etc) hindering faster permitting of renewable energy projects and related infrastructure. 

3. Explore solutions and opportunities to further simplify and accelerate permit-granting procedures.  

4. To promote dialogue and share best practices among stakeholders.  

Themes to be discussed

The discussions will be structured in two blocks.

• Evaluation of progress in simplifying and shortening permitting for renewable energy projects and related infrastructure and identify best practices.
• Identify remaining bottlenecks and potential measures to further facilitate faster permitting.

The following questions will guide the discussion:

• Have permitting rules laid down in the revised Renewables Energy Directive and in the Emergency Regulation on addressing barriers and accelerating permitting for renewables and related infrastructure led to simplified and faster permitting?
• What are good examples of positive implementation of these rules?
• What remaining obstacles still hinder permitting procedures?
• What practical solutions can improve the implementation of these rules?
• What else could be done by Member States, local authorities and at EU level? What could be further simplified? 

Participants

The event will bring together key stakeholders from across the EU—including representatives from industry, NGOs, grid operators, regional and local authorities, and policymakers—with careful attention to achieving broad geographical balance and ensuring that perspectives from across the European Union are properly represented. 

Outcome

A summary of the dialogue's conclusions will be published on this page shortly after the event.

Related links

• Implementation Dialogues - European Commission
• Enabling framework for renewables