The European Commission has referred Sweden to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to transpose new EU legislation aimed at accelerating permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, the Commission said on Thursday.
The action follows Sweden’s missed deadline of July 1, 2024, to incorporate provisions from Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national law. The Directive is intended to streamline and shorten approval processes for renewable energy developments and related grid infrastructure across the European Union.
The Commission stated that Sweden has not communicated any national measures to implement the Directive more than a year after the deadline. The referral comes after a formal letter of notice was issued in September 2024, followed by a reasoned opinion in February 2025.
“Infringement procedures have been initiated against all 27 Member States for failing to notify full transposition of the Directive,” the Commission said. “However, Sweden is the first to be referred to the Court over the issue.”
The EU executive also confirmed that it is seeking financial penalties under Article 260(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows the Court to impose sanctions for failure to notify transposition measures.
The Commission views the reforms as critical to achieving the EU’s climate and energy goals. The updated rules classify renewable energy and grid infrastructure as being of “overriding public interest” and subject to faster approval timelines.
“These reforms are essential to accelerate Europe’s transition to carbon neutrality, strengthen energy security and reduce energy costs,” the Commission said in a statement.
Swedish authorities have not yet publicly responded to the referral.
