Fewer than half of the renewable energy permitting reforms required under the European Union’s 2023 Renewable Energy Directive have been implemented by member states, according to a report published on Tuesday by SolarPower Europe.
The trade association reviewed progress in 20 EU countries and found that the average transposition rate for key permitting provisions stands at just under 50%. Italy, Romania and Slovenia led the group with a 78% implementation rate, while Latvia was lowest at 13%, followed by France, Croatia, the Netherlands and Slovakia at 22%.
“Now is the time to accelerate solar permitting to drive the rollout of renewables, phase out fossil fuels, and strengthen Europe’s energy security and competitiveness,” said Lina Dubina, policy advisor for sustainability at SolarPower Europe.
The report noted that despite some progress since 2023, most countries are still falling short of implementing reforms designed to simplify and speed up clean energy deployment. Barriers identified include delayed permitting timelines, uncertainty around designated acceleration areas, limited progress in simplifying permitting on artificial surfaces, and inconsistent application of the overriding public interest status for renewable energy.
Dries Acke, deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe, said: “Policymakers expect rapid renewables acceleration to meet the EU’s 2030 target, but permitting remains a major bottleneck. This updated report shows that many Member States continue to lag in fully and promptly implementing EU permitting rules under REDIII.”
The revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), which came into force in November 2023, sets a binding target for the EU to achieve at least 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Member States were required to transpose the permitting elements of the directive into national law by 30 June 2024.
SolarPower Europe called on the European Commission to prioritise enforcement of existing rules over further deregulation. The group also urged the EU to allocate funds for training permitting authorities, harmonise rules for emerging solar technologies and hybrid projects, and promote knowledge-sharing across member states.
“Even where legal frameworks exist, they often don’t function effectively in practice,” Acke said.
The report concludes that streamlining permitting processes remains essential for delivering the EU’s renewable energy targets at the pace and scale required.
