The European Commission has initiated infringement procedures against 26 European Union member states for failing to fully transpose a 2023 renewable energy directive into national law, the Commission said on Wednesday.
Only Denmark has met the required deadlines of May 21 and July 1, completing the process on time. The remaining 26 countries now have two months to respond and formally adopt the directive into their legal frameworks.
“If member states do not comply within this timeframe, the Commission may issue a reasoned opinion as a next step in the infringement process,” the Commission warned.
The directive (2023/2413) aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across all economic sectors, including power generation, heating, transport, and industry.
“They set important horizontal and cross-cutting measures to promote the deployment of renewables, such as the strengthening of guarantees of origin, facilitating energy system integration through the promotion of electrification and renewable hydrogen, and safeguards to ensure a more sustainable bioenergy production,” the Commission said.
The European Commission described the legislation as “instrumental” in boosting homegrown clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing Europe’s energy security.
