EU accelerates expansion of renewable energy

EU ministers agreed to extend the period of application of three EU emergency regulations at their meeting in Brussels today in order to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, enhance gas solidarity between Member States and prevent excessively high gas prices in the context of the market correction mechanism. The provisions to accelerate the permit-granting process for projects in the field of renewable energy and power grids until mid-2025 in particular are welcome. More than a year can be saved in the construction of new onshore wind energy installations thanks to these provisions, which have already been transposed into German law. The respective EU emergency regulation provides for exceptions from time-consuming procedural and examination steps in planning and permit procedures to boost the expansion of renewable energy throughout the EU.

State Secretary Sven Giegold said: "Today’s decisions enable us to accelerate the construction of grids with a total length of 7,000 km and the realisation of wind energy projects with a capacity of 40 GW. At the same time, there is strong protection for endangered species. This shows that the Green Deal is making progress. In view of the prolongation of the EU emergency regulation, we can make use of the faster planning and permit procedures until mid-2025. This substantially strengthens the current dynamism regarding the expansion of wind energy installations and power grids."

Another item on the agenda is the current EU legislative files in the energy sector. In the last few weeks, political agreements have been reached on the following Fit for 55 files in the energy sector: the regulation on methane emissions, the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the EU gas market package.

State Secretary Sven Giegold said: "The conclusion of the negotiations on the regulation on methane emissions, the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and the EU gas package are important milestones of the European Green Deal. Europe is thus sendng out a clear signal for climate action and a socio-ecological energy transition."

To this end, the Joint Communiqué der RES Alliance (PDF, 129 KB) will be handed over to Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson today. The RES Alliance aims to further accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. The signatories underline the significance of European energy security and commit to improving the policy environment for its promotion.