Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures
Date: 2025-12-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
Subjects: EU energy policy, administrative formalities, carbon neutrality, electrical energy, energy grid, energy storage, energy transition, hydrogen, natural gas, renewable energy

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 10.12.2025  COM(2025) 1007 final 2025/0400 (COD)  Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures {SEC(2025) 2000 final} - {SWD(2025) 2000 final} - {SWD(2025) 2001 final} (Text with EEA relevance)  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The  proposal  aims  to  accelerate  the  permitting  of  energy  infrastructure  projects,  including 
transmission  and  distribution  grids,  storage  and  recharging  stations  and  renewable  energy 
projects in order to facilitate their fast deployment. Their swift deployment is fundamental for 
the  Union  to  make  progress  in  its  energy  transition  towards  more  sustainable  and 
decarbonised energy system. The proposal makes part of the European Grids Package which 
was  announced  as  part  of  the  Competitiveness  Compass  for  the  Union1  and  the  Clean 
Industrial  Deal2  at  the  beginning  of  2025.  The  Action  plan  for  affordable  energy from 
February  20253  also  stated  that  the  European  Grid  Package  would  include  legislative 
proposals  to accelerate  permitting for  grids,  storage  and  renewables.  The  proposal  also 
delivers  on  the  request  from  the  European  Council  of  23  October  2025  to  explore  new 
proposals to streamline and accelerate planning and permitting procedures in Member States.4 

Slow and complicated permitting, including for grid connection, is indicated by stakeholders 
as one of the main factors causing delays in  the  development  of energy  projects.  Electricity 
transmission  grids  take  around  10  years  for  completion,  of  which  permitting  accounts  for 
more than half of the time needed. Permitting was ranked by 78% of respondents to the public 
consultation as the leading obstacle to ensuring that the Union’s grid infrastructure develops 
as  needed  for  the  energy  transition.  Similarly,  permitting  of  renewable  energy  projects  can 
still  take  up  to  nine  years  depending  on  the  Member  State  and  the  technology  involved. 
Storage  installations  can  take  from  one  to  seven  years  depending  on  the  technology.  The 
permitting  procedures  for  construction  or  transformation  of  recharging  stations  along 
highways and in depots can take up to two years in some Member States. Slow permitting is 
due,  among  other  things,  to  incoherent  administrative  systems  among  multiple  authorities, 
inadequate  staffing  in  authorities,  the  duration  of  environmental  assessments,  lack  of  public 
acceptance,  limited  digitalisation  and  data  availability  as  well  as  administrative  and  judicial 
challenges.  Slow  permitting  procedures  can  also  negatively  impact  innovation  in  the  sector 
and  constitute  a  bottleneck  towards  the  achievement  of  the  indicative  target  set  in  the 
Renewable  Energy  Directive  to  achieve  at  least  5%  of  newly  installed  renewable  energy 
capacity  for  innovative  renewable  energy  technologies.  The  acceleration  of  permitting 
procedures,  including  for  hybridisation  of  renewable  energy  projects  and  refurbishment  and 
modernisation  of  energy  infrastructure  should  contribute  to  the  promotion  of  innovative 
solutions.  

1 

2 

3 

4 

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, 
the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “A Competitiveness 
Compass for the EU” (COM(2025) 30 final of 29.01.2025). 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint 
roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation” (COM(2025) 85 final of 26.02.2025). 
Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  “Action  Plan  for  Affordable 
Energy Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy 
for all Europeans” COM(2025) 79 final. 
European Council meeting conclusions, 23 October 2025. 

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In  recent  years  some  new  measures  have  been  introduced  at  Union  level  to  accelerate 
permitting for renewable energy projects and, to some extent, infrastructure projects. In 2022 
a  Council  Regulation  was  adopted,  as  an  emergency  measure,  to  accelerate  permitting  for 
renewable  energy  and  related  infrastructure  projects,5  which  was  partially  prolonged  in 
December  20236  until  30  June  2025.  This  Regulation  established  a  presumption  that 
developing  renewable  energy  is  of  overriding  public  interest,  introduced  deadlines  for  the 
permit-granting  procedure  for  certain  renewable  energy  technologies  and  allowed  Member 
States to exempt renewable energy projects, as well as energy storage projects and electricity 
grid  projects  which  are  necessary  to  integrate  renewable  energy  into  the  electricity  system, 
from  some  environmental  requirements  under  certain  conditions.  Moreover,  in  2023,  the 
revised  Renewable  Energy  Directive  (‘RED’)7  introduced  a  comprehensive  new  permitting 
framework  for  renewable  energy  projects,  with  shorter  deadlines  and  simpler  rules. 
Furthermore,  it  included  mapping  obligations  and  the  obligation  to  designate  renewable 
acceleration areas where the environmental impacts stemming from projects are expected to 
be low, allowing for a simplified permitting procedure for projects in such areas. The revised 
RED  also  included  optional  measures  to  introduce  acceleration  areas  for  infrastructure 
projects where these projects are exempted from an  environmental impact assessment under 
certain conditions.  

The  introduction  of  these  measures  has  led  to  some  positive  results  on  the  ground.  For 
instance,  Germany  has  extensively  applied  the  measures  in  the  Council  Regulation,  in 
particular the voluntary ones, which has resulted in a substantial acceleration of permitting. In 
2024,  Germany  approved  approximately  14-15  GW  of  additional  onshore  wind  capacity77, 
which represents an 85% increase compared to the previous year and which almost equals the 
total new installed wind capacity in Europe in the same year. Similarly, positive impacts can 
be observed from the implementation of the measures in the revised RED. A study to monitor 
the  implementation  of  the  Commission  Recommendation  and  Guidance  on  speeding  up 
permit-granting  procedures  for  renewable  energy  and  related  infrastructure  projects8,  shows 
that  Member  States  adopted  a  total  of  1198  measures  to  implement  the  Recommendation, 
with 901 of them being measures with either a moderate or strong level of alignment with the 
Recommendation, which accounts to 75% of the total counted measures.  

Notwithstanding  the  measures  introduced  by  the  Council  Regulation  and  the  revised  RED, 
permitting  bottlenecks  persist  across  Member  States  and  progress  in  terms  of  accelerated 
deployment  of  projects  is  not  always  felt  on  the  ground,  as  confirmed  also  during  the 
Implementation  Dialogue  on  permitting  held  by  the  Commissioner  for  Energy  and  Housing 
on 11 June 20259.  

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Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 of 22 December 2022 laying down a framework to accelerate the 
deployment of renewable energy, OJ L 335 29.12.2022, p. 36.  
Council Regulation (EU) 2024/223 of 22 December 2023 amending Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying 
down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy.  
Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending 
Directive  (EU) 2018/2001,  Regulation  (EU) 2018/1999  and  Directive 98/70/EC  as  regards  the 
promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/834f011b-e464-11ef-be2a-01aa75ed71a1 
Implementation  dialogue  on  permitting  for  renewable  energy  projects  and  related  infrastructure  with 
Commissioner  Jørgensen  -  European  Commission,  https://energy.ec.europa.eu/events/implementation-
dialogue-permitting-renewable-energy-projects-and-related-infrastructure-commissioner-2025-06-
11_en 

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Several factors contribute to this. First, the revised RED did not fully address all issues which 
delay permitting and integration of renewables, such as slow permitting for grids, storage or 
recharging  stations,  limited  digitalisation  of  procedures  or  public  acceptance.  Second,  the 
revised RED included only some of the measures of the Council Regulation but lacks several 
important measures included therein which have ceased to apply, such as those to expand the 
priority  of  renewable  energy  projects  beyond  environmental  aspects  and  to  streamline 
compliance  with  certain  environmental  rules.  Third,  while  the  transposition  dates  for  the 
relevant  permitting  provisions  of  the  RED  were  July  2024  and  May  2025,  the  available 
information  shows  varying  results  among  Member  States  regarding  implementation  and 
shortcomings  in  the  application  of  the  rules.  The  full  implementation  of  the  existing 
framework  is  still  ongoing,  but  the  feedback  received  by  stakeholders  shows  that  even  in 
Member States where the existing framework has been transposed and is being implemented, 
there  are  bottlenecks  that  hinder  fast  permitting  and  deployment  of  the  renewable  energy 
projects. Therefore, the long permitting procedures causing a slow project implementation can 
be  attributed  not  only  to  the  lack  of  complete  and  correct  implementation  of  the  existing 
framework  in  Member  States,  but  also  to  issues  that  have  not  been  fully  addressed  in  the 
current  Union  legal  framework:  too  long  environmental  assessments,  lack  of  public 
acceptance,  limited  digitalisation  of  the  procedures,  insufficient  resources  in  national 
permitting  authorities,  lack  of  coordination  mechanisms  between  the  different  authorities 
involved in the permitting procedure, lack of rules for all types of storage and for recharging 
stations.  

Regarding energy infrastructure, currently there is no overarching permitting regime at Union 
level. The TEN-E Regulation introduces rules for the permitting of infrastructure projects  in 
the union list of projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest, but it does not 
cover other infrastructure assets. The Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Package10 introduced 
general requirements for the authorisation of hydrogen and gases assets, including permitting 
procedures,  in  the  Gas  Market  Directive11.  However,  for  electricity  grids  no  European 
framework is available. The need to increase the deployment rate of energy infrastructure to 
accelerate the deployment of renewables and increase the security of resiliency of the Union 
grid  and  reduce  energy  costs  was  recognised  in  the  Affordable  Energy  Action  Plan  and  the 
Draghi Repot. The lack of a unified European framework  represents a missing step towards 
addressing  this  need.  As  such  this  proposal  updates  the  permitting  regime  of  the  Electricity 
Market  Directive  to  establish  requirements  for  transmission  and  distribution  infrastructure 
which are currently not addressed. The changes to the Electricity Market Directive introduced 
additional requirements that need to be reflected in the Gas Market Directive, namely in terms 
of capacity of permitting authorities, cut off dates for requests for additional information, tacit 
approval in administrative decisions and digitalisation requirements. 

Amongst  the  causes  for  lengthy  permitting  procedures  that  still  remain,  environmental 
assessments  have  been  identified  repeatedly  as  the  step  most  prone  to  delays.  Overall,  the 
average  duration  of  the  environmental  impact  assessment  (EIA)  for  projects  in  general  (not 
renewable energy-specific) is estimated to be around 20.6 months,12 thus affecting the ability 

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Energy, 

Hydrogen 

Commission, 

European 
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/markets-and-consumers/hydrogen-and-decarbonised-gas-market_en. 
Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common 
rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, OJ L, 2024/1788 
Collection  of  information  and  data  on  the  implementation  of  the  revised  Environmental  Impact 
Assessment (EIA) Directive (2011/92/EU) as amended by 2014/52/EU, final report by Milieu, COWI 
and Eunomia for the European Commission, March 2024, page 25 

Decarbonised 

Package, 

Gas 

and 

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to comply with the permitting deadlines in the revised RED.  In the public consultation for the 
Grids  Package13,  a  majority  of  respondents  supported  simplifying  and  streamlining 
environmental  assessments.  The  revised  RED  introduced  targeted  measures  to  ease  certain 
environmental  obligations,  but  the  current  state  of  play  of  deployment  of  renewable  energy 
projects  and  the  average  duration  of  environmental  assessments  calls  for  additional 
intervention in this regard.  

A  weak  enforcement  by  national  authorities  of  permitting  deadlines  in  the  Member  States 
undermines  the  revised  RED’s  objective  to  limit  the  duration  of  permitting  procedures. 
Uncertainties and  lack of clear rules  in  case of conflicts  between renewable energy projects 
and  other  interests  lead  to  long  permitting  times  and  judicial  challenges.  Permitting 
procedures  for  very  small  projects  maintain  unnecessary  bureaucracy  which  delays  their 
deployment,  while  their  connection  to  the  grid  still  faces  unjustified  delays.  Inefficient  and 
ineffective public participation processes, leading to opposition in the form of administrative 
and judicial challenges continue to contribute to lengthy implementation. Limited resources in 
national permitting authorities are regularly voiced as one of the main factors contributing to 
delays in permitting procedures. Further, permitting procedures for renewable energy projects 
often  require  multiple  permits  awarded  by  different  authorities  (either  in  parallel  or 
subsequently)  and  the  lack  of  coordination  mechanisms  is  an  important  bottleneck  slowing 
down procedures. Digital resources to process applications are underdeveloped and underused 
by  authorities  and  the  lack  of  integration  among  different  digital  permitting  tools  used  by 
multiple  permitting  authorities  leads  to  confusion  and  inefficiencies,  hampering  the 
enforcement of legal  deadlines. Insufficient  access to  relevant  environmental and geological 
data can be a barrier for project promoters when preparing environmental permit applications 
for  renewable  energy  projects  as  well  as  for  grid  and  storage  infrastructure  projects. 
Moreover,  the  permitting  rules  for  electricity  storage  under  the  revised  RED  have  a  narrow 
scope,  only  covering  co-located  storage  and  not  storage  in  general  or  the  hybridisation  of 
projects  despite  their  increasingly  important  role  for  system  flexibility.  Similarly,  a  lack  of 
clarity on permitting for recharging stations for electromobility is creating undue complexities 
and  delays.  The  proposal  aims  to  address  the  identified  bottlenecks  in  the  permitting 
procedures  faced  by  renewable  energy  projects  and  energy  infrastructure  such  as  electricity 
and gas grids, storage facilities and recharging stations, which are vital to integrate renewable 
energy in the energy system, by:  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

13 

Reducing deadlines and avoiding unnecessary delays in the permitting process; 

Including  provisions  from  the  Council  Regulation  (EU)  2022/2577  with  targeted 
modifications; 

Introducing additional targeted flexibility in the application of environmental rules  

Introducing a permitting regime for electricity grids at Union level that builds upon 
the  approach  to  the  permitting  of  gas  and  hydrogen  assets  in  the  Gas  Market 
Directive and aligns with the framework of the Renewable energy directive and the 
TEN-E Regulation. 

Ensuring consistency of the overall permitting regime at the EU level by amending 
the  permitting  regime  applicable  to  hydrogen  assets  to  align  with  the  permitting 
regime applicable to electricity infrastructure. 

https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-collects-views-preparation-european-grids-package-
2025-05-13_en 

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This proposal includes limited and targeted amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of 
energy  from  renewable  sources  which  are  strictly  necessary  to  achieve  the  proposal’s 
objectives. Further possible modifications of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 are entirely outside of 
the scope and aims of the present proposal. The need for such modifications may be assessed, 
as  appropriate,  in  the  context  of  the  preparation  of  the  initiative  on  the  renewable  energy 
framework, part of the Energy Union package for the decade ahead, as referred to in Annex I 
of the Commission work programme 2026. The Commission will constructively engage with 
the co-legislators, in order to ensure that the legislative process on the present proposal fully 
preserves its essential object and does not distort it. 

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

This proposal results from the Commission’s commitment in the Action Plan for Affordable 
Energy14  to  propose  a  European  Grids  Package  consisting  of  legislative  and  non-legislative 
measures  to,  among  others,  streamline  permitting  for  renewable  energy  generation,  grids, 
storage infrastructure, and recharging stations for cars and trucks.  

The proposal is also consistent with the implementation of existing permitting measures under 
the  revised  RED,  including  both  checking  their  transposition  and  assisting  Member  States 
with their effective implementation. To ensure appropriate implementation of good permitting 
practices  and  timely  transposition  of  the  amended  RED,  a  comprehensive  set  of  actions 
(Accele-RES  implementation  plan)  was  put  in  place  and  further  strengthened  as  part  of  the 
Wind Power Action Plan. This included exchange of good practices in various fora, bilateral 
support  to  Member  States,  creation  and  upgrade  of  an  online  Q&A  tool  for  RED 
implementation,  ongoing  transposition  work,  adoption  of  recommendations  and  guidance 
related  to  planning,  permitting  and  environmental  legislation,  support  to  Member  States  for 
permitting  reforms  under  the  Technical  Support  Instrument  (TSI),  support  for  permitting 
investments and reforms under the Recovery and Resilience Fund and under the LIFE Clean 
Energy  Transition  (CET)  Call  2024  and  2025. As  announced  in  the  Action  Plan  for 
Affordable Energy, the Commission is expanding the Accele-RES implementation plan, fully 
exploiting the potential of the Expert Group on permitting and of the Concerted Action (CA-
RES), reinforcing the exchange on best practices and the identification of barriers, upgrading 
the online guiding tool on permitting and providing TSI support.  

The proposal is consistent with the Electricity Market Directive building on the approach to 
authorisation  procedures  for procedure for new capacity  by mirroring the approach taken  to 
the  hydrogen  and  gas  decarbonisation  package,15  while 
permitting  procedures 
simultaneously  take  the  opportunity  to  further  accelerate  the  permitting  of  projects  for  the 
refurbishment, modernisation or repowering of transmission and distribution grids. 

in 

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15 

Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Action Plan for Affordable Energy 
Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all 
Europeans COM/2025/79 final 
Specifically in Article 8 of Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
13 June 2024 on common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, OJ 
L, 2024/1788. 

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The proposal is also consistent in terms of amendments to permitting procedures introduced in 
the Gas Market Directive package, presenting only incremental amendments that should not 
have an impact on the transposition of the measures originally included in the package. 

The  proposal  is  also  consistent  with  the  permitting  regime  for  infrastructure  projects  of 
common  and  mutual  interest  selected  under  the  TEN-E  Regulation.  By  providing  a  general 
regime  to  assets  not  selected  under  the  Regulation,  this  proposal  creates  the  underlining 
permitting  acceleration  framework  at  the  basis  of  the  stricter  framework  applicable  to  key 
infrastructure projects identified under the TEN-E Regulation. 

• 

Consistency with other Union policies 

This proposal is consistent with the Green Deal’s objective to reduce GHG emissions by 55% 
by  2030  and  the  obligation  under  the  European  Climate  Law  to  reach  climate  neutrality  in 
2050 and with the Clean industrial Deal’s objectives to secure access to affordable energy for 
the  European  industry,  lower  energy  bills  and  accelerate the  roll-out  of clean  energy  and 
manufacturing, including a KPI to install annually 100 GW of renewable electricity capacity 
up to 2030. 

The  Draghi  report16  called  for  simplifying  and  streamlining  permitting  and  administrative 
processes  as  well  as  for  a  coordinated  strategic  approach  to  cross-border  infrastructure 
development between the Union and Member States. The Council invited the Commission to 
propose a strengthened framework for grid planning and rollout to be compliant with  Union 
targets.  In  its  Conclusions  of  16  June  202517,  the  Council  called  on  the  Commission  to 
propose a grids package consisting of measures to, inter alia, simplify  Union rules on grids, 
integrate  Union-level,  regional  and  national  needs,  ensure  the  delivery  of  projects,  develop 
effective  cost  sharing  mechanisms  for  cross-border  projects  of  common  interest,  and  assess 
the need for further legislative proposals to accelerate permitting of energy infrastructure.  

A proposal for a Regulation on accelerating and streamlining environmental assessments has 
been  adopted  on  [xxxx].18  The  proposal  puts  together  a  series  of  measures  to  simplify 
environmental  legislation  concerning  environmental  assessments  of  plans,  programmes  and 
projects  with  regards  digitalisation,  data  access,  streamlining  of  public  consultations  and 
judicial disputes. The proposed measures related to environmental legislation under the Grids 
Package are targeted to renewable energy and infrastructure projects and are compatible with 
the  overall  simplification  measures  put  forward  in  the  proposal  for  a  Regulation  on 
accelerating and streamlining environmental assessments.   

2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

 The proposal is based on two legal bases: 

-  Article  194(2)  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union  (TFEU),  which 
provides  the  legal  basis  for  proposing  measures  to  develop  new  and  renewable  forms  of 
energy  and  ensure  the  functioning  of  the  energy  market,  which  are  goals  of  the  Union’s 
energy policy set out in Article 194(1) points (c) and (a) TFEU. 

16 
17 
18 

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en#paragraph_47059 

Council of the European Union, 10279/25 
[reference to the Regulation on speeding-up environmental assessments] 

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This legal basis is needed to amend the Renewable Energy Directive, the Electricity Market 
Directive and the Gas Market Directive. 

- Article 192(1) of the TFEU, which provides the legal basis for the Union’s environmental 
policy.  This  legal  basis  is  needed  to  introduce  targeted  adaptations  to  specific  Union 
environmental  rules  to  accelerate  the  permit-granting  procedures  for  renewable  energy  and 
energy infrastructure projects. 

The measures put forward in this proposal relate to the fields mentioned above. They aim to 
promote  the  faster  deployment  and  integration  of  renewable  energy  via  the  acceleration  of 
permitting  procedures  for  renewable  generation,  transmission  and  distribution  grids,  storage 
and  re-charging  stations  projects.  The  measures  also  touch  upon  environmental  assessments 
rules as part of the elements aiming at simplification and acceleration of those procedures.  

• 

Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)  

 The  goal  of  the  proposed  amendments  is  to  facilitate  renewable  energy  integration  in  the 
energy system by simplifying and shortening permitting procedures for renewable generation 
as  well  as  for  transmission  and  distribution  grids,  storage  and  re-charging  stations  projects. 
The  proposed  amendments  fulfil the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  as  action at  Union  level  will 
contribute to such goal more effectively than action at national level. 

The need for EU action 

Reaching the EU energy objectives without additional action on the deployment of renewable 
energy at EU level would not be cost efficient. An EU approach is needed to provide the right 
incentives to Member States to accelerate, in a coordinated way, the energy transition towards 
a more energy-efficient energy system largely based on renewables. The revised RED already 
includes  provisions  on  permitting  for  renewables,  co-located  storage  and  related  grids. 
Further,  the  Gas  Market  Directive  already  includes  a  provision  on  authorisation  procedures 
establishing requirements for the permitting of gas and hydrogen assets. Lastly the Electricity 
Market  Directive  includes  a  provision  on  authorisation  procedures,  however  it  covers  only 
procedures  for  new  capacity.  EU  action  is  needed  to  further  improve  that  regulatory 
framework in a coordinated way, bringing faster permitting procedures for renewables, grids, 
storage  and  recharging  stations,  ensuring  alignment  among  Member  States  and  the  good 
functioning  of  the  Energy  Union.  Taking  into  account  the  different  energy  policies  among 
Member States, action at EU level, supported by the robust governance framework, is more 
likely to achieve the EU climate target and required increased deployment of renewables than 
national or local action alone. 

EU added value 

EU  action  on  renewable  energy  under  the  revised  RED,  and  on  grids  under  the  Electricity 
Market  Directive  and  the  Gas  Market  Directive,  brings  added  value  because  it  is  more 
efficient  and  effective  than  individual  Member  States’  actions,  avoiding  a  fragmented 
approach by addressing the transition of the Union’s energy system in a coordinated way. It 
ensures  net  reduction  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  and  pollution,  protects  biodiversity, 
harnesses  the  benefits  of  the  internal  market,  fully  exploits  the  advantages  of  economies  of 
scale and technological cooperation in Europe, and it gives investors certainty in an EU-wide 
regulatory  framework.  By  acting  at  EU-level  in  combination  with  action  at  Member  State 
level,  several  barriers  to  public  and  private  investments  can  be  tackled  supplementing  and 
reinforcing national and local action. 

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The aim of the proposal could not be achieved to the same extent with national measures. At 
the  same  time,  it  gives  wide  discretion  to  Member  States  to  regulate  the  details  of  their 
permitting  frameworks.  The  proposal  entails  a  top-down  approach  but  also  maintains  and 
strengthens  competences  at  national  level  and  is  therefore  considered  to  observe  the 
subsidiarity principle. 

• 

Proportionality 

The  initiative  complies  with  the  proportionality  principle.  In  view  of  the  continuing 
geopolitical situation created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the need to increase energy 
security  and  EU’s  competitiveness,  there  is  a  clear  need  for  further  action  to  accelerate  the 
deployment of renewable energy sources and consequently of electricity grids and hydrogen 
production facilities and hydrogen system infrastructure. The proposed measures contribute to 
improving  the  more  rapid  and  targeted  development  of  energy  infrastructure,  renewable 
energy,  storage  and  recharging  stations  effectively,  without  imposing  significant  costs  for 
system operators/project promoters and Member States, National Regulatory Authorities and 
the  Agency  for  the  Cooperation  of  Energy  Regulators.  The  balance  struck  in  the  proposal 
between obligations and flexibility left to the Member States on how to achieve the objectives 
is considered appropriate given the imperative of meeting the 2030 climate and energy targets 
and the objective of climate neutrality laid down in the European Climate Law as well as the 
urgency to reduce both Union’s energy dependency and energy prices. 

This  amendment  of  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  is  limited  to  what  is  considered  necessary  to 
further  simplify  and  streamline  the  permitting  procedures  with  regards  to  renewable 
generation, transmission and distribution grids, storage and re-charging stations projects and 
in  order  to  accelerate  the  deployment  of  renewable  energy  and  its  integration.  Regarding 
infrastructure  planning,  changes  to  Directive  (EU)  2019/944  are  limited  to  a  sole  Article, 
which  is  closely  linked  to  the  Union-wide  ten-years  network  development  plan,  hence  to 
related  changes  in  the  TEN-E  Regulation.  Changes  aim  to  clarify  the  links  between  the 
Directive  and  the  TEN-E  Regulation  and  align  the  wording  with  the  changes  made  by  the 
Gases package (Directive (EU) 2024/1788).  

Specific  section  of  proportionality  was  included  also  in  the  impact  assessment  (section  7.4) 
for  all  options  that  were  considered.  The  proposal  is  based  on  Policy  Option  2  which  is 
considered to be proportionate to the nature of the problem by focussing on streamlining the 
current processes and offering new substantive new tools that are considered effective to meet 
the objectives of this initiative. 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

This proposal is a Directive amending the following Directives: 

– 

– 

Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  on  the  promotion  of  the  use  of  energy  from 
renewable  sources,  strengthening  the  permitting-related  provisions  of  that 
Directive (Articles 2, 15c and 15d and 16-17).  

Directive 2019/944/EU on common rules for the internal market for electricity, 
strengthening  the  provision  on  authorisation  procedures  (Article  8)  with 
dedicated  permitting  acceleration  measures  and  introducing  measures  on  the 
identification  of  alternative  solutions  and  the  deployment  of  compensatory 
measures  when  applying  derogation  foreseen 
in  Directive  92/43/EEC, 
Directive 2000/60/EC and Directive 2009/147/EC (Article 8a). 

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– 

Directive  2024/1788/EU  on  common  rules  for  the  internal  markets  for 
renewable  gas,  natural  gas  and  hydrogen,  ensuring  consistency  between  its 
provision  on  authorisation  procedures  (Article  8)  and  that  of  Directive 
2019/944/EU.  

3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation 

Due  to  the  targeted  character  of  the  proposed  amendments  and  the  recent  amendment  of 
Directive 2018/2001 (EU) in 2023, it was not feasible to conduct any ex post evaluation. In 
the  Impact  Assessment,  an  Implementation  report  was  included  focusing  on  the  main 
permitting provisions which are part also of this proposal. The deadline for Member States to 
transpose the planning and permitting-related provisions of this Directive was set mostly for 
July 2024, but also May 2025 (Articles  15b, 15c and 16a), with an implementation date for 
the  designation  of  Renewable  Acceleration  Areas  set  by  21  February  2026.  The  report 
included therefore preliminary results collected via ongoing contracts on the transposition and 
implementation  of  the  permitting  framework.  The  feedback  received  by  stakeholders  show 
that  even  in  Member  States  where  the  existing  framework  has  been  transposed  and  it  is 
implemented,  there  are  still  bottlenecks  that  hinder  fast  permitting  and  deployment.  This  is 
why the proposed measures mainly deal with issues not addressed, or only partially addressed 
in the 2023 amendment, therefore complementing the existing measures, with limited changes 
in most cases to the existing framework.  

• 

Stakeholder consultations 

In  line  with  the  Better  Regulation  guidelines,  the  Commission  carried  out  a  comprehensive 
online open public consultation (OPC) between 13 May to 5 August 2025 on the ‘Have Your 
Say’ website. The consultation covered the following topics: i) the general functioning of the 
TEN-E Regulation, ii) EU infrastructure planning, iii) electricity network planning at national 
level, iv) electricity grid hosting capacity, v) permitting, vi) investments in grid infrastructure, 
vii) supply chains, viii) digitalisation and resilience, and ix) simplification.  

The consultation received a total of 197 responses. In addition, 2 emails were received via a 
functional  mailbox  for  the  consultation.  There  were  197  responses  to  every  multiple-choice 
question  in  the  OPC,  meaning  that  every  respondent  answered  each  question.  For  some 
questions,  respondents  were  asked  on  a  five-point  scale  the  extent  to  which  they  agreed  or 
disagreed  with  statements.  The  scale  was  i)  Strongly  disagree  ii)  Slightly  disagree,  iii) 
Neutral, iv) Slightly agree, v) Strongly agree. A “don’t know” option was also given.   

About a third of respondents (34%; companies 36%, business associations 37%, NGOs 14%, 
public  authorities  10%)  reported  that  the  permitting  provisions  of  the  TEN-E  regulation  are 
not  clear  and  easy  to  implement,  with  16%  remaining  neutral  and  34%  unsure.  A  vast 
majority of 83% (companies 92%, business associations 83%, NGOs 29%, public authorities 
70%)  supported  simplifying  and  streamlining  environmental  assessments  (only  5%  neutral 
and  5%  uncertain).  Similarly,  82%  of  respondents  (companies  83%,  business  associations 
81%, NGOs 79%, public authorities 80%) agreed that permitting procedures should be fully 
digitalised (only 7% neutral and 9% uncertain). Additionally, 77% of respondents (companies 
78%,  business  associations  85%,  NGOs  50%,  public  authorities  70%)  agreed  that  deadlines 
for  the  permitting  of  networks  should  be  shortened  or  established  where  missing,  with  only 
7% neutral and 9% uncertain.  

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Moreover, 64% of respondents agreed that permitting procedures for storage assets should be 
simplified (companies 59%, business associations 81%, NGOs 50%, public authorities 70%), 
with  13% remaining  neutral  and 18% uncertain.  Slightly more (69%) supported simplifying 
permitting  procedures  for  distribution  network  projects,  small-scale  renewable  projects,  and 
activities  such  as  repurposing,  refurbishment,  and  repowering  (companies  67%,  business 
associations  80%,  NGOs  50%,  public  authorities  60%),  while  8%  were  neutral  and  19% 
uncertain.  Furthermore,  71%  agreed  that  permitting  procedures  for  hybrid  projects  (those 
combining different technologies, including storage) and other innovative solutions should be 
simplified (companies 72%, business associations 85%, NGOs 43%, public authorities 60%), 
with 11% neutral and 14% uncertain. 

At  the  same  time,  two  public  Implementation  Dialogues  were  held,  one  on  environmental 
assessments  and  permitting  by  Commissioner  Jessika  Roswall19  and  one  on  permitting  for 
renewable  energy  projects  and  related  infrastructure  by  Commissioner  Jørgensen20.  In  both 
dialogues,  the  need  to  simplify  permitting  and  specifically  in  connection  to  environmental 
assessments  was  brought  up  by  stakeholders,  as  well  as  the  need  to  intensify  efforts  to 
implement  current  EU  legislation  and  the  dissemination  of  good  practices.  In  the 
implementation  dialogue  held  by  Commissioner  Jørgensen  the  need  for  further  simplifying 
procedures  (in  particular  for  small-scale  projects,  storage  and  repowering),  extending  the 
overriding  public  interest  principle,  targeted  exemptions  from  specific  EU  legislation, 
accelerating the digitalisation of permitting  processes and improving data availability was 
also highlighted. 
Moreover, in a recent report on the state of regions and cities21 one of the demands of regions 
and  cities  to  Europe  was  the  acceleration  of  permitting  for  renewables  and  they  indicated 
administrative delays as one of the main obstacles to timely deployment that remains. At the 
same time, they asked the development of a harmonised EU-wide digital permitting system, 
which  they  believe  reduce  bureaucracy  and  support  faster  local  approvals,  echoing  our 
proposal for further digitalisation and centralisation of the permitting procedures. 

These  replies  confirmed  the  need  to  take  action  to  simplify  and  speed  up  permitting 
procedures. The feedback received is well reflected in the proposal which addresses the issues 
mentioned  above  for  which  a  high  share  of  respondents  indicated  a  need  for  simplification, 
acceleration and digitalisation of the permitting process. 

• 

Collection and use of expertise 

The Commission carried out this analysis using different information channels. A desk-based 
legal and policy analysis was conducted in preparation of the Implementation Report that is 
annexed to the Impact Assessment. Firstly, the Commission also took note of Member States’ 
experiences in implementing the permitting related provisions under RED, collected through 
the  means  of  a  dedicated  study  on  “Technical  support  for  RES  policy  development  and 
implementation  –  Simplification  of  permission  and  administrative  procedures  for  RES 
installations (RES Simplify)”22 published in April 2023. In addition to the relevant legislative 

19 
20 

21 

22 

Implementation Dialogue on environmental assessments and permitting - Environment 
Implementation  dialogue  on  permitting  for  renewable  energy  projects  and  related  infrastructure  with 
Commissioner Jørgensen - European Commission 
European  Committee  of  region,  “The  state  of  regions  and  cities  EU  annual  report  2025”  (October 
2025): The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union | European Committee of the Regions  
Final  report  to  be  found  here:  Technical  support  for  RES  policy  development  and  implementation  – 
simplification  of  permission  and  administrative  procedures  for  RES  installations  (RES  Simplify)  - 
Publications Office of the EU. 

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documents,  the  primary  source  was  Commission’s  own  work  on  the  implementation  of  the 
permitting  part  of  the  revised  RED,  including  by  means  of  the  transposition  checks.  The 
progress  of  the  transposition  checks  was  summarised  in  June  2025  by  means  of  the  First 
Progress  Report  submitted  to  the  Commission  within  the  remit  of  the  specific  ongoing 
contract  “Legal  assistance  to  check  Member  States'  transposition  of  the  amending  Directive 
(EU)  2023/2413  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  18  October  2023”. 
Furthermore, the analysis took stock of findings of the ongoing study “Monitoring progress of 
measures  to  streamline  permit-granting  procedures  under  revised  RED  and  Emergency 
Regulation and development of permitting-related KPIs”, and its First Interim Report received 
by the Commission in July 2025, as well as the study on monitoring the implementation of the 
Commission Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting procedures23. Further to that, 
outcome  of  discussions  held  from  April  2023  in  6  meetings  of  the  renewable  energy 
permitting  expert  group  and  one  stakeholder  event,  outcome  of  discussions  on  the 
implementation of the permitting provisions in the Concerted Action on RED (CA-RES24), as 
well  as  the  Conclusions  of  the  Implementation  dialogue  with  Commissioner  Jørgensen  on 
permitting  for  renewable  energy  projects  and  related  infrastructures  from  June  202525 
supplemented this Report. Further, in what concerns the permitting procedures applicable to 
energy infrastructures  these were assessed  as  part  of the  “Study  on national  permit  granting 
process  applicable to  energy transmission infrastructure projects  with  a focus on projects  of 
common  interest  and  projects  of  mutual  interest  under  Chapter  III  of  Regulation  (EU) 
2022/869” contracted by the Commission and published in early 2025.26 This study identified 
gaps  to  be  addressed  in  order  to  facilitate  a  unified  and  efficient  permitting  framework  that 
supports 
infrastructure  projects,  amongst  other 
shortcomings  related  to  environmental  assessments,  clarity  of  procedures  and  public 
acceptance. 

timely  deployment  of  essential 

the 

• 

Impact assessment 

An Impact assessment was prepared for this proposal and a positive opinion with comments 
were received from the RSB (RSB/RM/cdd – rsb(2025)9584707).  

Three options were assessed (please see table below): 

and 

simplify 
Shorten 
for 
permitting  procedures 
infrastructure, 
energy 
renewable energy and storage 
as 
as 
projects, 

well 

C.1   Supporting 

the 
legislation and issuing guidance  

implementation  of 

existing 

C.2   Targeted 

legislative 

changes 

to 

accelerate 

permitting  

23 

24 
25 
26 

European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, COWI, Eclareon and Prognos, Monitoring the 
implementation  of  the  Commission  recommendation  and  guidance  on  speeding  up  permit-granting 
procedures for renewable energy and related infrastructure projects  – Final report, Publications Office 
of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2833/2257747  
www.ca-res.eu  
See footnote 18 
European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, Milieu, Bruggeman, V., Vona, L., Moreira, G. 
et  al., Study  on  national  permit  granting  process  applicable  to  energy  transmission  infrastructure 
projects with a focus on projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest under Chapter III 
of  Regulation  (EU)  2022/869  –  Overview  report,  Publications  Office  of  the  European  Union, 
2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2833/2566900 

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recharging stations  

C.3   Centralised  EU-wide  permitting 

coordination 
regime  for  certain  large-scale  energy  infrastructure 
projects (“28th Regime”)  

Measure C.2 which is the preferred option and the basis for this proposal involves legislative 
amendments  to  further  accelerate  and  simplify  permitting  procedures  for  cross-border, 
national  transmission  and  local  distribution  grids  as  well  as  renewable  energy  and  storage 
projects  and  recharging  stations.  These  amendments  could  include:  (1)  establishing  an  EU 
level  framework  for  the  accelerated  permitting  of  electricity  distribution,  transmission  and 
storage projects and recharging stations including alignment with and further strengthening of 
the  EU  level  permitting  provisions  applicable  to  hydrogen  infrastructure;(2)  introducing 
changes in the revised RED and (3) simplifying and streamlining environmental assessments 
applicable to energy assets; exempting certain projects due to their characteristics from certain 
assessments or elements thereof. 

The  BAU  option  was  discarded  as  a  policy  option  at  an  early  stage  because  the  identified 
problems  would  persist  or  rather  increase  and  hence  preventing  the  achievement  of  the 
identified  objectives.  In  comparison  to  option  1  and  3,  option  2  was  considered  better  with 
regards  impacts,  efficiency,  coherence,  subsidiarity  and  proportionality.  The  following 
impacts were identified: 

Economic Impact 

Through creating a clear framework with  concrete shorter deadlines and simpler procedures 
for  the  development  of  RES  projects,  grids,  storage  and  recharging  stations,  the  proposal 
would lead to shorter lead time for projects and thus bring positive economic benefits. This is 
supported  by  the  experience  with  the  implementation  of  binding  and  optional  measures  to 
accelerate  permitting  as  introduced  by  the  Emergency  Regulation.  Germany  has  made 
extensive  use  of  the  measures  in  this  Regulation  resulting  in  a  substantial  acceleration  of 
permitting.  Addressing  delays  in  project  implementation  is  expected  to  generate  benefits  in 
terms of overall reduced wholesale electricity prices and increase total welfare.  

Competitiveness 

In general, if Europe can significantly shorten planning and permitting procedures, in addition 
to  achieving  direct  economic  benefits,  its  competitive  position  vis-à-vis  direct  competitors 
could also be improved, by through e.g. cost-efficient electrification of industry.  

Digitalisation 

The  proposal  would  require  Member  States  to  further  digitalise  their  permitting  procedures 
via the integration of digital tools, create, to continuously update platforms with relevant data 
and to upskill their staff to handle the new digital elements. 

Administrative burden 

The  measures  under  the  proposal  require  implementation  by  national  and  local  authorities, 
specifically  regarding:  equipping  permitting  authorities  with  all  necessary  staff,  skills  and 
tools  to  handle  the  growing  number  of  permitting  requests,  the  accelerated  permitting 
timelines and simplification of permitting procedures for certain projects and repowering, the 

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creation of digital platforms and tools for the permitting process and for the design of benefit-
sharing schemes for public participation in renewable energy projects and new procedures as 
single points of contacts for electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in general 
and  storage  and  recharging  stations,  not  covered  by  the  revised  RED.  However,  this  short-
term  cost  effect  would  translate  into  savings  from  a  streamlined,  simpler  and  quicker 
procedures over mid- and long-term. 

Social Impacts 

The proposal of additional measures strengthening early and effective public engagement and 
fostering  public  support  for  renewable  energy  projects.  The  measures  expressly  include 
provisions  aiming  at  increasing  public  participation  and  therefore  social  acceptance  of 
renewables  projects.  By  revising  the  current  measures  on  public  acceptance  of  renewable 
energy projects, the Commission will be able to assess the opportunity to introduce measures 
that benefit consumers directly or indirectly, e.g. benefit-sharing schemes and job creation. 

Environmental Impacts 

Ensuring the development of energy infrastructures, especially electricity grids, is essential to 
increase  the  share  of  renewable  energy  generation  integrated  in  the  energy  mix,  preventing 
environmental losses due to curtailment. RES integration will allow to curb the use of fossil 
fuels  reducing  GHG  emissions  and  thus  addressing  two  major  drivers  of  biodiversity  loss: 
climate  change  and  air  pollution.  The  proposal  includes  measures  that  aim  at  faster  permits 
and therefore faster and widespread deployment, which relates to more space being used and 
therefore have an effect on the environment, but they are designed not to decrease the level of 
environmental protection.  

Relevant impacts on the natural and man-made environment, go beyond GHG and non-CO2 
emissions.  These  impacts  are  strongly  dependent  on  the  technology  used  and  the  assets’ 
location and the environmental status of the surrounding fauna  and flora. These impacts are 
however addressed in the design of the proposed measures through introducing safeguards. 

• 

Regulatory fitness and simplification 

The  proposal  is  not  linked  with  REFIT,  however  it  includes  measures  that  brings  positive 
impacts  in  terms  of  simplification  and  improved  efficiency  like  shortening  permitting 
deadlines  simplifies  the  process  and  clarifies  the  existing  framework,  reduces  the 
administrative burden on promoters. The proposal is internet ready and appropriate for both 
the  physical  and  digital  environment.  It  includes  measures  to  promote  digitalisation  of 
permitting procedures as well as collection and dissemination of information and data related 
to  environment  which  are  necessary  for  the  conclusion  of  relevant  assessments  and 
authorisations. These digital tools will also centralise the procedures so the access to citizens 
and  business  will  be  facilitated.  All  these  digital  solutions  will  consider  data  protection  and 
cybersecurity issues in line with overall EU policies. 

• 

Fundamental rights 

In terms of consistency with the Charter for fundamental rights, the overarching aim of this 
review is to simplify and streamline the permitting procedures for energy infrastructure such 
as grids, storage and recharging stations, as well as for renewable energy, in order to increase 
the integration of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is entirely in 
line with Article 37 of the Charter under which a high level of environmental protection and 

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the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the 
Union and ensured in accordance with the principle of sustainable development.  

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

The proposal does not entail any additional costs for the EU budget. Only some budget needs 
for studies to support the transposition checks are foreseen.  

This  proposal  amends  an  existing  Directive  on  the  promotion  of  renewable  energy,  and  the 
administrative impact and costs on Member States are therefore estimated to be moderate, as 
most  of  the  necessary  structures  and  rules  are  in  place.  Member  States  will  face  costs  in 
implementing the new obligation to create a digital, centralised platform for all the necessary 
permits  as  well  as  the  setting  up  of  the  facilitator,  but  over  time  these  investments  will  cut 
down  on  administrative  expenses  and  workload.  Moreover,  the  overall  streamlining  of 
procedures  is  expected  to  bring  significant  cost  savings  for  Member  States.  To  this  end,  it 
must  be  also  considered  that  any  cost  that  occurs  due  to  the  further  increase  of  renewable 
deployment  and  integration  will  be  balanced  by  other  economic,  environmental  and  social 
benefits  such  as  increased  security  of  supply,  by  replacing  imported  fossil  fuels  from  third 
countries,  and  greater  resilience  against  externalities,  while  contributing  to  the  carbon  sink 
and reducing air pollution.  

This proposal also amends existing  Directives on the Environmental Impact Assessment, on 
conservation of wild birds and of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The changes on 
the  Directives  on  conservation  of  wild  birds  and  of  natural  habitats  and  of  wild  fauna  and 
flora  will  not  entail  costs.  From  the  amendments  that  are  introduced  in  the  Environmental 
Impact Assessment, the measure requiring for a database with all relevant environmental data 
and  information  will  require  some  costs,  even  though  some  Member  States  have  such 
databases  already.  For  the  rest  of  the  changes,  the  administrative  impact  and  costs  are 
therefore estimated to be moderate, as most of the necessary structures and rules are in place. 

5. 

• 

OTHER ELEMENTS 

Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements 

After the adoption of this amending Directive by the co-legislators, during the transposition 
period, the Commission will undertake the following actions to facilitate its transposition:  

– 

– 

– 

Availability  for  bilateral  meetings  and  calls  with  Member  States  in  case  of 
specific question on the transposition of the Directive.  

Provide  explanations  and  technical  support  to  Member  States  via  the  online 
tool available to Member States representatives for queries. 

Update recommendation and guidance on permitting, if necessary 

After the transposition deadlines, the Commission will carry out a comprehensive assessment 
of whether Member States have completely and correctly transposed this Directive. 

• 

Explanatory documents (for directives) 

Following  the  ruling  of  the  European  Court  of  Justice  in  Commission  vs  Belgium  (case  C- 
543/17),  Member  States  must  accompany  their  notifications  of  national  transposition 
measures  with  sufficiently  clear  and  precise  information,  indicating  which  provisions  of 
national  law  transpose  which  provisions  of  a  directive.  This  must  be  provided  for  each 

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obligation,  not  only  at  “article  level”.  If  Member  States  comply  with  this  obligation,  they 
would not need, in principle, to send further explanatory documents on the transposition to the 
Commission.  

• 

Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal 

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (Article 1 of this proposal) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Article  2  of  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  is  amended  to  introduce  some 
definitions. 

Article 15c of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended to introduce an obligation 
on  Member  States  not  to  identify  large  territories  where  the  installation  of 
renewable energy projects is a priori not possible due to environmental reasons, 
including protection of landscape. 

Article 15d of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended to introduce measures for 
Member  States  to  ensure  that  a  share  of  the  benefits  of  renewable  energy 
projects  is  passed  on  to  local  citizens  and  communities  and  an  obligation  to 
designate and finance an independent  facilitator to promote dialogue between 
the project developer and the general public. 

Article 16 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended to introduce an obligation 
for Member States to set up a single digital portal at national level for all the 
steps of the permit-granting procedures for renewable energy, storage and grid 
projects.  This  portal  will  also  have  access  to  all  data  on  species  observations 
and  other  environmental  and  geological  data  made  available  by  the  relevant 
environmental  authorities,  pursuant  to  Article  10(3)  of  Regulation  [xxxxx]  of 
the European Parliament and of the Council.  

Article 16b of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended to delete the reference to 
deliberate  killing  or  disturbance  of  the  species  when  necessary  mitigation 
measures  have  been  adopted  to  introduce  tacit  approval  for  permit-granting 
procedure outside renewables acceleration areas. 

Article  16c  of  the  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  is  amended  to  include  specific 
rules  to  facilitate  repowering  despite  changes  in  land  use,  and  to  streamline 
environmental requirements for repowering of wind renewable energy projects 
if no additional land surface is used. 

Article  16d  of  the  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  is  amended  to  streamline 
permitting  rules  with  regards  the  permitting-granting  process  for  small-scale 
solar installations and solar installations on artificial structures. 

Article 16f of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended to remove the possibility 
for Member States to restrict the application of overriding public interest and to 
extend the application of the overriding public interest presumption to conflicts 
where the conflicting interests are beyond environmental ones. 

Article 16g is introduced in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 to specify the scope of 
the  assessment  of  satisfactory  alternative  solutions  and  of  the  requirement  to 
apply  compensatory  measures 
relevant  Union 
environmental law.  

the  purposes  of 

for 

Article 16h is introduced in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 to regulate the permit-
granting procedure for stand-alone energy storage other than hydrogen storage. 

EN 

15 

  EN 

 
– 

– 

– 

Article  16i  is  introduced  in  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  to  regulate  the  permit-
granting process for recharging stations. 

Article  16j  is  introduced  in  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  to  regulate  the  permit-
granting process for the hybridisation of renewable energy plants. 

Articles  17  of  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  is  amended  to  consolidate  all 
provision  on  grid  connection,  expand  their  scope  and  introduce  clear  rules 
regarding  the  procedures  for  grid  connection  permits,  including  targeted 
deadlines for the connection of certain projects.   

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2019/944 (Article 2 of this proposal) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Article  8  of  Directive  (EU)  2019/944  is  amended  to  regulate  the  permitting 
procedure  for  transmission  and  distribution  system  infrastructure,  introducing 
the requirement for adequate resources for national authorities, time limits for 
authorisation  procedures,  tacit  approval  for  administrative  decisions,  a  time 
limit  for  requests  for  data  from  authorities  to  promoters,  a  temporary 
presumption  of  overriding  public  interest  for  electricity  grids,  a  temporary 
exemption  for  refurbishment,  modernisation  or  repowering  of  existing 
transmission  grids  and  distribution  grids  from  Environmental  Impact 
Assessments and Appropriate assessments, aspects related to the assessment of 
projects under Directive 2000/60/EC and assessment of nitrogen emissions that  
may  be  carried  out 
limit 
environmental assessments to new assets. Lastly, the article is amended to put 
the obligation on Member States to establish digital platforms to handle permit 
applications.  These  platforms  will  also  have  access  to  all  data  on  species 
observations  and  other  environmental  and  geological  data  made  available  by 
the  relevant  environmental  authorities,  as  per  Article  10(3)  of  Regulation 
[xxxxx] of the European Parliament and of the Council.  

to  comply  with  Directive  92/43/EEC  and 

Article 8a is introduced in Directive (EU) 2019/944 to to specify the scope of 
the  assessment  of  satisfactory  alternative  solutions  and  of  the  requirement  to 
relevant  Union 
apply  compensatory  measures 
environmental law. 

the  purposes  of 

for 

Article  40a  is  introduced  in  Directive  (EU)  2019/944  to  regulate  network 
developments  and  powers  to  make  investment  decisions  on  a  national  level. 
Article  replaces  existing  Article  51,  for  the  sake  of  clarification  of  legal 
application  of  relevant  provisions  and  aims  at  ensuring  full  consistency  with 
recent changes in Directive (EU) 2024/1788 and the TEN-E Regulation. 

Article 51 of Directive (EU) 2019/944, on network development and powers to 
make investment decisions, is deleted as this will be regulated by new Article 
40a. 

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2024/1788 (Article 3 of this proposal) 

– 

Article 8 of Directive (EU) 2024/1788 is amended to introduce the requirement 
for adequate resources for national authorities, tacit approval for administrative 
decisions, a time limit for requests for data from authorities to promoters, and a 
requirement for digital platform to handle authorisation procedures. 

EN 

16 

  EN 

 
2025/0400 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards 
acceleration of permit-granting procedures 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 192(1) and Article 194(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee1 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions2,  

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

Slow  and  complicated  permit-granting  procedures,  including  for  grid  connections,  is 
one  of  the  main  factors  causing  delays  in  the  development  of  energy  projects. 
Electricity  transmission  grids  take  around  10  years  for  completion,  of  which 
permitting  accounts  for  more  than  half  of  the  time  needed.  Similarly,  permitting  of 
renewable  energy  projects  can  still  take  up  to  nine  years  depending  on  the  Member 
State  and  the  technology  involved.  Storage  installations  can  take  from  one  to  seven 
years  depending  on  the  technology.  The  permit-granting  procedures  for  construction 
or transformation of recharging stations along highways and in depots can take up to 
two  years  in  some  Member  States.  Slow  permitting  is  due,  among  other  things,  to 
incoherent  administrative  systems  among  multiple  authorities,  inadequate  staffing  in 
authorities,  the  duration  of  environmental  assessments,  lack  of  public  acceptance, 
limited  digitalisation  and  data  availability  as  well  as  administrative  and  judicial 
challenges.  

(2) 

In  recent  years,  new  measures  have  been  introduced  at  Union  level  to  accelerate  the 
permit-granting  procedures  for  renewable  energy  projects  and,  to  some  extent, 
infrastructure projects. In 2022, Council Regulation (EU) 2022/25773 was adopted to 
accelerate permit-granting procedures for renewable energy and related infrastructure 

1 
2 
3 

EN 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 of 22 December 2022 laying down a framework to accelerate the 
.ELI: 
energy 
deployment 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2577/oj).  

29.12.2022, 

renewable 

335 

(OJ 

36, 

of 

p. 

L 

17 

  EN 

 
projects. Its partial application was prolonged by Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2234 
until  30  June  2025.  Furthermore,  Directive  (EU)  2023/2413  of  the  European 
Parliament  and  of  the  Council5  amended  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  of  the  European 
Parliament  and  the  Council6  to  streamline  administrative  procedures  for  authorising 
renewable energy plants by introducing a comprehensive permitting framework, with 
shorter  deadlines  and  simpler  rules.  The  amended  Directive  included  mapping 
obligations,  the  obligation  to  designate  renewables  acceleration  areas  where  the 
environmental impacts  stemming from  projects  are expected to  be low and therefore 
faster  and  simpler  rules  can  apply,  and  optional  measures  to  introduce  acceleration 
areas  for  infrastructure  projects  where  infrastructure  projects  are  exempted  from  an 
environmental  impact  assessment  under  certain  conditions  such  as  carrying  out  a 
strategic environmental assessment of the area.  

A  further  simplification  and  shortening  of  the  administrative  permit-granting 
procedures  in  a  coordinated  and  harmonised  manner  is  necessary  in  order  to  ensure 
that  the  Union  reaches  its  ambitious  climate  and  energy  targets  for  2030  and  the 
objective  of  climate  neutrality  by  2050.  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  did  not  address 
important  issues  which  significantly  delay  permit-granting  procedures  and  the 
integration of renewables into the system, such as slow permit-granting procedures for 
grids, stand-alone energy storage or recharging stations, lack of public acceptance or 
insufficient digitalisation of procedures. Moreover, that Directive includes only certain 
of the measures of Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 but  lacks several  important  measures 
included  therein  which  have  ceased  to  apply,  such  as  expanding  the  priority  of 
renewable energy projects beyond environmental aspects and streamlining compliance 
with  certain  environmental  rules.  Finally,  some  targeted  amendments  to  existing 
measures of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 are necessary to ensure their full effectiveness. 

Article 15c of Directive  (EU) 2018/2001 introduces an obligation for Member States 
to  designate  renewables  acceleration  areas  for  at  least  one  renewable  energy 
technology. For the purposes of such designation, Member States may exclude certain 
areas  from  becoming  renewables  acceleration  areas  due  to  their  high  environmental 
value  and  sensitivities.  However,  in  order  not  to  undermine  the  objectives  of  the 
designation of renewables acceleration areas, Member States should not identify large 
territories where the installation of renewable energy projects is  a priori  not possible 
due  to  environmental  reasons  including  protection  of  landscape,  since  those  projects 
will be subject to the relevant dedicated environmental assessments which will allow 
to identify potential environmental impacts and to address them. 

Unsound  public  participation  processes  leading  to  opposition  in  the  form  of 
lengthy 
administrative  and 
implementation  of  relevant  energy  projects.  Challenges  give  rise  to  additional  steps 
outside of the foreseen administrative permit-granting procedures timelines, leading to 

judicial  challenges  continue 

to  contribute 

to 

Council Regulation (EU) 2024/223 of 22 December 2023 amending Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying 
down  a  framework  to  accelerate  the  deployment  of  renewable  energy  (OJ  L,  2024/1343,  21.5.2024, 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1343/oj).  
Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 amending 
Directive  (EU)  2018/2001,  Regulation  (EU)  2018/1999  and  Directive  98/70/EC  as  regards  the 
promotion of  energy  from renewable  sources,  and  repealing  Council  Directive  (EU)  2015/652 (OJ  L, 
2023/2413, 31.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2413/oj). 
Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the 
promotion  of  the  use  of  energy  from  renewable  sources  (OJ  L  328,  21.12.2018,  p.  82,  ELI: 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/2001/oj). 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

4 

5 

6 

EN 

18 

  EN 

 
unforeseen delays that vary in duration according to the judicial speed of the Member 
State  in  question.  Lack  of  public  acceptance  is  one  of  the  primary  barriers  to 
renewable energy permit-granting procedures and thus market uptake. Ensuring public 
participation  by  local  communities  in  renewable  energy  projects,  in  particular  the 
larger  ones, can  increase  public  acceptance.  Therefore,  Member  States  should  adopt 
measures  so  that  large  renewable  energy  projects  share  their  benefits  with  local 
citizens  and  communities  by  means  of  direct  or  indirect  participation,  without 
prejudice to the free choice of supplier in accordance with Article 4 of Directive (EU) 
2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council7. Such measures may include 
direct  financial  participation  measures,  in  various  forms  such  as  shared  ownership 
schemes, including via cooperation with energy communities; crowdfunding schemes, 
or  renewable  self-consumption  or  energy  sharing  schemes,  or  indirect  financial 
participation  measures,  such  as  the  promotion  of  contracts  and  job  creation  for  the 
local  communities,  including  training  programmes;  community  benefit  funds; 
financial compensations to local communities in proximity of the project; construction 
and maintenance of public infrastructure in proximity of the project; discounts in the 
price of electricity, or support for vulnerable customers and people affected by energy 
poverty.  

Local  resistance,  often  rooted  in  lack  of  transparency,  and  insufficient  community 
involvement  can  result  in  delays  in  permit-granting  procedures  and  subsequent 
litigation.  Early-stage  and  appropriate  involvement  of  the  public  is  a  clear  success 
factor  in  renewable  energy  projects,  as  indicated  in  Commission  Recommendation 
(EU) 2024/1343.8 A professional independent facilitator can accelerate the deployment 
of  large  renewable  energy  installations  above  10  MW  by  promoting  consultations 
between  the  project  developers  and  the  local  communities,  where  appropriate,  prior 
and during the permit-granting procedures with the aim to promote dialogue and build 
consensus  among  the  relevant  parties  during  the  entire  process  and  avoid  legal 
disputes. The facilitator should be a third party, independent from the relevant parties, 
and  should  not  have  any  financial  stake  connected  to  the  developer  or  to  the 
community where the project is located.  

The lack of resources of permitting authorities and the lack of digitalisation of permit-
granting  procedures  and  data  availability  are  bottlenecks  slowing  down  permit-
granting  procedures.  Digitalisation  and  an  appropriate  use  of  artificial  intelligence 
features are key tools to speed up procedures and to increase efficiency for all parties 
involved. It allows a faster handling of applications by the relevant authorities, and it 
allows  project  promoters  to  have  quick  access  to  clear  information  on  process  steps 
and  requirements  from  the  outset,  therefore  ensuring  transparency  and  monitoring. 
However, digitalisation of permit-granting procedures is lagging behind, as it is often 
scattered  among  permit-granting  procedures  and  steps  across  different  competent 
authorities and in most Member States there is no unified digital process.9 Moreover, 

(6) 

(7) 

7 

8 

9 

Directive  (EU)  2019/944  of  the  European  Parliament  and of  the  Council  of 5  June 2019  on  common 
rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, 
p. 125, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/944/oj). 
Commission  Recommendation  (EU)  2024/1343  of  13  May  2024  on  speeding  up  permit-granting 
procedures  for  renewable  energy  and  related  infrastructure  projects  (OJ  L,  2024/1343,  21.5.2024, 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1343/oj).  
European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, COWI, Eclareon and Prognos, Monitoring the 
implementation  of  the  Commission  recommendation  and  guidance  on  speeding  up  permit-granting 

EN 

19 

  EN 

 
 
often  more  than  one  digital  portal  is  used  to  treat  the  same  project  application  and 
interoperability is not always ensured. This leads to a high administrative burden for 
project  promoters,  limited  internal  coordination  among  authorities  dealing  with 
permit-granting  procedures  at  different  levels,  lack  of  visibility  of  the  status  of  the 
application and unclarity on the bottlenecks slowing down permit-granting procedures. 
Member States should set up a single digital portal at national level for all the steps of 
the permit-granting procedures for renewable energy, storage and grid projects so that 
it contributes  to more uniform  digitalisation, interoperability and transparency across 
different  permitting  authorities  in  Member  States  and  ultimately  speed  up  permit-
granting procedures. It should also simplify the process by allowing applicants to file 
their application in a single portal that can automatically attribute the applications to 
the  competent  authority,  which  will  treat  them  directly  in  the  portal  avoiding 
intermediate paper-based steps. The portal should present features, including by means 
of  artificial  intelligence,  allowing  the  single  contact  point,  other  authorities  and 
applicants to check the status of the application and where delays are, as well as check 
compliance  with  the  permitting  deadlines.  In  addition,  it  should  allow  for  the 
extraction of statistics  to check  the overall  progress  of permit-granting procedures  in 
Member  States.  The  format  chosen  for  storing  and  communicating  the  relevant  data 
collected  through  the  portal  should  be  interoperable.  The  portal  should  facilitate  the 
duties  of  the  single  contact  point  who  should  have  access  to  all  relevant  data  and 
information.    

Faster  and  shorter  permitting  deadlines  for  permit-granting  procedures  need  to  be 
accompanied  by  additional  measures  which  ensure  their  effectiveness  in  practice. 
Administrative  tacit  approval  measures  ensure  that  an  application  is automatically 
approved if the public administration fails to act within a legally defined deadline and 
are therefore a useful tool to address administrative inaction by providing legal effect 
to the administration’s silence. Directive (EU) 2018/2001 introduces tacit approval for 
certain  decisions,  namely  for  intermediate  steps  of  the  permit-granting  procedure  in 
renewable  acceleration  areas,  and  for  the  final  permits  for  all  small-scale  solar 
installations  with  a  capacity  below  100  kW.  Given  the  need  to  accelerate  the 
deployment  of  renewable  energy  sources  and  the  fact  that  the  implementation  of 
renewable  acceleration  areas  is  a  time-consuming  process,  it  is  appropriate  to  also 
apply  this  measure  in  the  permit-granting  procedures  applicable  to  projects  located 
outside acceleration areas. In these procedures, Member States should ensure that the 
principle of administrative tacit approval is applied, including for final decisions with 
the exception of environmental decisions. In order to ensure an effective application of 
this  measure  and  to  guarantee  the  rights  of  third  parties  to  judicial  protection,  the 
relevant authorities should make public that a decision has been tacitly adopted.  

Repowering  of  existing  renewable  energy  power  plants  has  significant  potential  to 
contribute to the achievement of renewable energy targets. Since  existing renewable 
energy  power  plants  have,  for  the  most  part,  been  installed  in  sites  with  significant 
renewable energy source potential, repowering can ensure the continued use of those 
sites,  thus  ensuring  efficient  land  use  and  exploitation  of  the  best  renewable  energy 
resources. This is particularly the case for onshore wind, especially taking into account 
that  in  Europe  many  onshore  wind  farms  are  approaching  the  end  of  contracts 
supporting  their  electricity  generation  and  that  26  GW  of  existing  wind  plants  have 

procedures for renewable energy and related infrastructure projects  – Final report, Publications Office 
of the European Union, 2025, p.31.  

(8) 

(9) 

EN 

20 

  EN 

 
been in operation for more than 20 years10. Repowering includes further benefits such 
as  an  existing  grid  connection,  a  likely  higher  degree  of  public  acceptance  and 
knowledge  of  the  likely  environmental  impacts.  Considering  that  the  repowering  of 
wind plants often leads to a lower number of turbines being installed in the same site, 
the environmental impact of repowered wind plants is limited. Therefore, requirements 
on environmental screening or environmental impact assessment should be reduced or 
even  waived  where  the  repowering  of  an  existing  wind  plant  does  not  entail  use  of 
additional  land  surface,  increases  the  total  capacity  of  the  installation  and  complies 
with  the  applicable  environmental  mitigation  measures  established  for  the  original 
wind energy installation. 

(10)  Self-consumption  installations,  including  those  for  jointly-acting  self-consumers  and 
as  local  energy  communities,  contribute  to  reducing  overall  demand  for  natural  gas, 
increasing  resilience  of  the  system  and  achieving  the  Union’s  renewable  energy 
targets. The installation of solar energy equipment and co-located energy storage with 
a  capacity  below  100  kW  is  not  likely  to  have  significant  adverse  effects  on  the 
environment  or  the  grid  and  does  not  raise  safety  concerns.  In  addition,  small 
installations do not generally require capacity expansion at the grid-connection point. 
In order to  further accelerate the deployment  of  small-scale solar  equipment  and  co-
located energy storage, Member States should not require any administrative permits 
for these installations, with the exception of the grid connection permits, as is already 
the  case  in  several  Member  States.  Aligning  Union  legislation  with  existing  best 
practices should allow further acceleration of the deployment of these installations in a 
harmonised manner. The installation of solar energy equipment and co-located energy 
storage above 100 kW in existing or future artificial structures does not typically raise 
concerns  related  to  competing  uses  of  space  or  environmental  impact.  Those 
installations  should therefore benefit from shorter permit-granting procedures  and be 
to  carry  out  an 
exempt,  with  appropriate  safeguards,  from 
environmental impact assessment  pursuant  to Directive 2011/92/EU of the European 
Parliament and of the Council.11  

the  obligation 

(11)  Renewable  energy  plays  a  key  role  in  the  decarbonisation  of  the  Union’s  energy 
system  by  offering  immediate  solutions  to  replace  fossil-fuel  based  energy  and 
contributes  to  reduce  energy  prices  and  increase  energy  security.  Therefore,  the 
authorisation of renewable energy projects should not be too easily blocked due to the 
mere  existence  of  any  type  of  conflicting  interests.  Member  States  should  promote 
renewable  energy  plants  and  infrastructure  assets  such  as  co-located  and  stand-alone 
storage  assets  and  the  related  grid  and  recharging  stations  by  expanding  the  existing 
presumption  applicable  for  conflicts  with  environmental  interests  to  any  other 
conflicting interests, except in relation to cultural heritage and where it is evident that 
those  conflicting  interests  have  to  take  priority  despite  the  important  benefits  of 
renewable energy. Renewable energy projects, when presumed of being of overriding 
public  interest  over  non-environmental  interests,  should  be  given  priority  and 
authorised. In order to ensure a harmonised application of this rebuttable presumption, 
Member  States  should  not  be  allowed  to  introduce  exceptions  when  dealing  with  all 
types of conflicts, including environmental ones. 

10 
11 

WindEurope, 2024 Statistics and the outlook for 2025-2030.  
Directive  2011/92/EU  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  13  December  2011  on  the 
assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, 
p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/92/oj). 

EN 

21 

  EN 

 
(12) 

In  order  to  speed  up  the  deployment  of  renewables,  their  related  assets  and  their 
connection to the grid, it is appropriate to  also specify how the remaining conditions 
for  applying  specific  derogations  as  provided  for  in  Union  environmental  legislation 
can be met. In particular, for the purposes of relevant Union environmental law, when 
assessing whether there are satisfactory alternative solutions to the specific renewable 
energy project, the scope of such assessment should be limited to alternative solutions 
that ensure the achievement of the same objectives as the project in question within the 
same  or  similar  timeframe  and  without  resulting  in  significantly  higher  costs.  When 
comparing the timeframe and the cost of satisfactory alternative solutions, the relevant 
authorities  should  take  into  account  the  need  to  deploy  renewable  energy  in  an 
accelerated and cost-effective manner in accordance with the priorities set out in their 
integrated national energy and climate plans and updates thereof submitted pursuant to 
Regulation  (EU)  2018/1999  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council12  and  the 
expected  speed  to  achieve  those  priorities.  Similarly,  when  applying  the  relevant 
derogation  provided  for  in  Council  Directive  92/43/EEC,13  it  is  appropriate  that  the 
relevant  authorities  may,  in  some  justified  cases  where  it  can  be  reasonably 
demonstrated  that  the  relevant  plan  or  project  would  not  affect  irreversibly  the 
ecological  processes  essential  for  maintaining  the  structure  and  functions  of  the  site, 
that  the  overall  coherence  of  the  Natura  2000  network  is  not  compromised,  the 
environmental integrity  of the site is  preserved and that a high  level  of protection of 
the Natura 2000 sites is ensured, allow the compensatory measures to be carried out in 
parallel with the implementation of such plan or  project. 

(13)  Accelerating  the  deployment  of  stand-alone  energy  storage  is  crucial  to  increase  the 
flexibility of the energy system and to ensure system integration of renewable energy 
production.  Stand-alone  storage  should  therefore  benefit  from  accelerated  permit-
granting procedures. Small-scale energy storage with a capacity below 100 kW is not 
likely  to  have  significant  adverse  effects  on  the  environment  or  the  grid  and  is  not 
expected  to  raise  concerns  related  to  competing  uses  of  space.  In  view  of  this,  it  is 
appropriate  to  streamline  the  permit-granting  procedures  applicable  to  this  type  of 
storage  by  eliminating  all  administrative  permits,  with  the  exception  of  the  grid 
connection  permit,  and  exempting,  with  appropriate  safeguards,  these  installations 
from  the  obligation  to  carry  out  an  environmental  impact  assessment  pursuant  to 
Directive 2011/92/EU. The deployment  of energy storage with  a capacity above 100 
kW also needs to be accelerated. Therefore, it is appropriate to streamline their permit-
granting procedure by establishing a maximum overall deadline of six months, except 
for  pumped  hydropower  storage,  which  must  comply  with  stricter  environmental 
requirements  and  therefore  requires  a  longer  maximum  overall  deadline.  To  ensure 
system  integration  of  renewable  energy  production,  it  is  necessary  to  increase 
flexibility  sources,  notably  batteries  of  electric  vehicles,  as  they  can  contribute  to 
shifting peak electricity demand and reducing grid congestion. In order to achieve this, 
a  swifter  and  easier  deployment  of  recharging  road  infrastructure  should  be  further 

12 

13 

Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the 
Governance  of  the  Energy  Union  and  Climate  Action,  amending  Regulations  (EC)  No  663/2009  and 
(EC)  No  715/2009  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council,  Directives  94/22/EC,  98/70/EC, 
2009/31/EC,  2009/73/EC,  2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU  and  2013/30/EU of  the  European  Parliament  and 
of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 
525/2013  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  (OJ  L  328,  21.12.2018,  p.  1,  ELI 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1999/oj). 
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna 
and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj). 

EN 

22 

  EN 

 
promoted,  notably  covering  cars,  vans,  trucks,  busses  or  motorcycles,  and  plug-in 
hybrid or pure electric vehicles. Both alternating current and direct current recharging 
stations should benefit from accelerated permit-granting procedures, including for grid 
connection permits. Small recharging stations with a capacity below 100 kW are not 
likely  to  have  significant  adverse  effects  on  the  environment  or  the  grid  and  are  not 
expected  to  raise  concerns  related  to  competing  uses  of  space.  In  view  of  this,  it  is 
appropriate to streamline the permit-granting procedures applicable to these recharging 
stations  by  eliminating  all  administrative  permits,  with  the  exception  of  the  grid 
connection  permit,  and  exempting,  with  appropriate  safeguards,  these  installations 
from  the  obligation  to  carry  out  an  environmental  impact  assessment  pursuant  to 
Directive  2011/92/EU.  The  installation  of  recharging  stations  with  a  capacity  above 
100  kW  also  needs  to  be  accelerated.  Therefore,  it  is  appropriate  to  streamline  their 
permit-granting procedure by establishing a maximum overall deadline of six months.  

(14)  Obtaining  grid  connection  permits  is  a  crucial  and  often  time-consuming  part  of  the 
procedures  to  build  and  operate  a  renewable  energy  installation. It  is  therefore 
appropriate  to  further  streamline  the  deadlines  applicable  for  the  grid  connection 
procedures applicable to certain small-scale renewable energy projects, storage assets 
and  recharging  stations,  and  the  repowering  and  hybridisation  of  renewable  energy 
projects, and to introduce clear rules regarding the obligations of the system operators 
during the permit procedures. 

(15)  The Draghi report on EU competitiveness and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy14 
recognise  the  positive  impact  of  recent  reforms  to  accelerate  permit-granting 
procedures.  However,  they  also  highlight  lengthy  and  uncertain  permit-granting 
procedures for grids as a major obstacle to faster installation of necessary new capacity 
to accommodate clean energy investments  and reduce energy costs in the EU. While 
there  are  specific  rules  on  permit-granting  procedures  under  Directive  (EU) 
2018/2001, Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council15 
and Regulation (EU) 2022/869 of the European Parliament and of the Council16 these 
regimes  do  not  cover  general  electricity  grid  infrastructure  assets.  As  such,  general 
requirements on authorisation procedures  for electricity transmission and distribution 
system infrastructure must be provided in Directive (EU) 2019/944, specifically in the 
form  of  requirements  for  Member  States  to  ensure  a  maximum  duration  of  such 
procedures  and  establishing  requirements  that  support  in  meeting  those  deadlines. 
Regulation  (EU)  2022/869  and  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001  contain  rules  for  the 
authorisation  of  certain  energy projects.  In case  of contradiction  between those rules 
and  the  rules  established  in  this  Directive  for  the  authorisation  of  certain  electricity 
projects, the former should take precedence. 

14 

15 

16 

Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  European 
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Action Plan for Affordable Energy 
Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all 
Europeans (COM/2025/79 final). 
Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common 
rules  for  the  internal  markets  for  renewable  gas,  natural  gas  and  hydrogen,  amending  Directive  (EU) 
(OJ  L,  2024/1788,  15.7.2024,  ELI: 
2023/1791 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj). 
Regulation  (EU)  2022/869  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  30  May  2022  on 
guidelines  for  trans-European  energy  infrastructure,  amending  Regulations  (EC)  No  715/2009,  (EU) 
2019/942 and (EU) 2019/943 and Directives 2009/73/EC and (EU) 2019/944, and repealing Regulation 
(EU) No 347/2013 (OJ L 152, 3.6.2022, p. 45, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/869/oj). 

repealing  Directive  2009/73/EC 

and 

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(16)  Lack  of  resources  in  national  authorities  and  the  reduced  digitalisation  of  permit-
granting  procedures  results  in  delays  in  the  permitting  of  electricity  system 
infrastructure and generation assets. Member States should ensure that such authorities 
have adequate  human  financial  and  technical  resources,  including  skills,  and  digital 
management  tools  and  systems  that  enable  them  to  render  decisions  within  the 
deadlines provided in the Directive.  

(17)  The authorisation procedures under Directive (EU) 2019/944 should be clear, efficient 
and  transparent  and  consistent  with  the  fulfilment  of  existing  distribution  network 
development  plan  and  the  transmission  ten-year  network  development  plan.  Thus, 
Member States are expected to lay down and publish objective and non-discriminatory 
criteria and procedures for authorisation   that take into account amongst  other things 
the  safety  and  security  of  the  electricity  system,  land  use,  energy  efficiency, 
characteristics particular to the permit  applicant, emission reductions, the importance 
to accelerate the deployment of energy infrastructure to  reach climate neutrality, and 
alternatives to the project. 

(18)  Given  the  urgency  of  developing  electricity  infrastructures,  Member  States  are 
expected  to  ensure  that  authorisation  procedures  consider  the  characteristics  of  a 
project  when  assessing  the  need,  or  lack  thereof,  to  conduct  assessments,  including 
environmental  assessments,  or  produce  studies,  authorisations  or  reports.  The 
competent  national  authorities  should  limit  assessments  and  requests  for  information 
from  promoters  to  the  strictly  necessary  and  avoid  duplication  in  every  instance 
possible.  

requests 

(EU)  2019/944, 

(19)  To  increase  predictability  and  certainty  over  the  duration  and  costs  of  authorisation 
procedures  under  Directive 
information  and 
documentation from applicants should be concrete, specific and contained in time. As 
such  Member  States  should  ensure  that  national  authorities  request  the  relevant 
information to issue the permit from applicants within a pre-specified period counted 
from when the application is received and concretely determine the content and detail 
of  any  information  or  data  requested.  After  such  period,  requests  for  information 
should  be  limited  to  missing  information  that  had  been  previously  identified  or 
requested by the authority, or information that could not be requested before due to the 
fact that it relates to a material change in circumstances taking place after the project 
applied for an authorisation. 

for 

(20)  While  respecting  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  national  competences  and  procedures, 
Directive (EU) 2019/944 should set a clear time limit for the decision of the relevant 
authorities which stimulates an efficient definition and handling of procedures leading 
to  the  deployment  of  electricity  grids.  Nevertheless,  Member  States  can  strive  to 
achieve  shorter  permit-granting  procedures  where  feasible,  specially  as  regards 
projects  for  refurbishment,  modernisation  or  repowering  of  existing  transmission 
system  infrastructure  and  the  construction  of  new  distribution  system  infrastructure, 
which  may  not  require  as  complex  a  permit-granting  procedure  as  new  transmission 
infrastructure.  

(21) 

In line with the urgency to deploy electricity grids to achieve the Union’s energy and 
climate goals and accompany deadlines for permit-granting procedures with measures 
that  ensure  their  effectiveness  in  practice,  Member  States  should  ensure  that,  in 
jurisdictions where the concept of tacit approval exists under national law, it is applied 
to administrative decisions concerning electricity grid projects, with the exception of 
environmental decisions. To guarantee the rights of third parties to judicial protection, 

EN 

24 

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(22) 

the relevant authorities should make public all decisions adopted, including those that 
were tacitly adopted. 

In order to reduce complexity, increase efficiency and transparency, and help enhance 
cooperation  among  Member  States,  there  should  be  contact  points  for  electricity 
transmission or distribution system operators promoting grids project or other network 
assets  until  a  decision  is  rendered.  These  contact  points  will  be  responsible  for 
facilitating  and  guiding  applicants  through  the  authorisation  procedures  associated 
with  this  type  of  infrastructure.  In  the  spirit  of  simplification,  if  the  Member  State 
deems  appropriate  and  more  efficient  it  may  concentrate  this  responsibility  in  the 
national competent authorities referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869, as 
these  authorities  already  perform  such  role  in  what  concerns  the  permitting  of 
infrastructure projects of common interest and projects of mutual interest. In merging 
such  roles,  Member  States  should  pay  particular  attention  to  ensure  that  the  contact 
points  are  adequately  staffed  and  enjoy  the  resources  and  capacity  necessary  to 
perform the tasks under their responsibility. 

(23)  Due  to  their  role  integrating  renewable  energy  assets,  flexibility  solutions,  energy 
storage and enabling electrification in general, electricity transmission or distribution 
system infrastructure are essential to reach climate neutrality. Considering the key role 
of  electricity  system  infrastructure  to  reach  climate  neutrality,  in  the  necessary  case-
by-case  assessments,  Member  States  should  presume  electricity  transmission  or 
distribution  system  infrastructure,  including  on-shore  power  supply  in  ports  to  be  of 
overriding public interest and serving public health and safety, except for in relation to 
cultural heritage and where there is clear evidence that those projects have significant 
adverse  effects  on  the  environment  which  cannot  be  mitigated  or  compensated  for. 
Electricity  transmission  or  distribution  system  infrastructure  presumed  to  be  of 
overriding  public  interest  over  non-environmental  interests  should  be  given  priority 
over non-environmental interests and authorised as fast as possible. 

(24) 

In  order  to  speed  up  the  deployment  of  electricity  grids,  it  is  appropriate  to  specify 
how  the  conditions  for  applying  specific  derogations  as  provided  for  in  Union 
environmental legislation can be met. In particular, when assessing whether there are 
satisfactory  alternative  solutions  to  the  electricity  grid  project,  the  scope  of  such 
assessment  should  be  limited  to  alternative  solutions  that  ensure  the  achievement  of 
the  same  objective  within  the  same  or  similar  timeframe  and  without  resulting  in 
significantly higher costs. When comparing the timeframe and the cost of satisfactory 
alternative  solutions,  the  relevant  authorities  should  take  into  account  the  need  to 
deploy  grids  in  an  accelerated  and  cost-effective  manner  in  accordance  with  the 
priorities  set  out  in  their  integrated  national  energy  and  climate  plans  and  updates 
thereof  submitted  pursuant  to  Regulation  (EU)  2018/1999.  Similarly,  when  applying 
the relevant derogation provided for in Directive 92/43/EEC, it is appropriate that the 
relevant  authorities  may,  in  some  justified  cases  where  it  can  be  reasonably 
demonstrated  that  the  relevant  plan  or  project  would  not  affect  irreversibly  the 
ecological  processes  essential  for  maintaining  the  structure  and  functions  of  the  site, 
that  the  overall  coherence  of  the  Natura  2000  network  is  not  compromised,  the 
environmental integrity  of the site is  preserved and that a high  level  of protection of 
the Natura 2000 sites is ensured,  allow the compensatory measures to be carried out in 
parallel with the implementation of the plan and project . 

(25)  Due  the  urgency  in  deploying  energy  infrastructure,  the  importance  of  streamlining 
authorisation  procedures  and  the  fact  that  environmental  assessments  represent  the 
step with the longest duration in authorisation procedures, it matters to minimise such 

EN 

25 

  EN 

jeopardising 

the  protection  of 

assessments  without 
the  environment.  The 
refurbishment,  modernisation or repowering of existing  transmission and distribution 
system  infrastructure,  and  the  construction  of  new  distribution  system  infrastructure, 
are  projects  which  generally  entail  minimal  environmental  impacts.  Refurbishment, 
modernisation or repowering projects are routinely of limited size and affect only part 
of existing assets for which environmental impacts have been previously assessed. As 
a result, the impacts of such projects are often limited to those of construction works, 
with  the  operation  of  the  asset  having  the  same,  or  even  a  lesser,  impact  than  the 
operation of the project it targeted. Distribution systems on the other hand, due to the 
smaller  size  of  their  projects,  lower  voltage  of  their  assets  and  tendency  to  be 
developed  in  built  areas  closer  to  consumers  tend  not  to  have  significant 
environmental impacts. As such, to accelerate the deployment of the electricity system 
infrastructure  and  achieve  climate  neutrality  and  renewable  energy  targets,  Member 
States  should be allowed to  justifiably  exempt, under certain  conditions,  the projects 
mentioned  in  this  recital  from  environmental  impact  assessments  and  appropriate 
assessments and the assessment of their implications on species protection pursuant to 
Article 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC17  and to Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC18.   

(26)  The  benefits  of  the  deployment  of  electricity  infrastructure  in  terms  of  nitrogen 
emission reductions largely exceed the cost of the minimal emissions that result from 
their construction. As such, Member States should ensure that the quick deployment of 
electricity  infrastructure  is  in  no  way  limited  by  the  temporary  emissions  that  result 
from their construction. 

(27)  National transmission network planning reflecting developments in climate and energy 
policy  and  related  changes  in  consumption  and  generation  is  critical  for  success  of 
electrification and energy transition as a whole. However, existing requirements under 
Article  51  of  Directive  (EU)  2019/944  only  applied  to  certain  transmission  system 
operators  and  did  not  provide  for  sufficiently  long  period  of  planning  to  account  for 
anticipatory investment. It is important that transmission system expansion consider at 
least  fifteen  years'  time  horizon,  and  considers  with  priority  use  of  non-fossil 
flexibility, non-wire solutions and other alternatives to system expansion, is based on a 
joint scenario developed with other system operators across sectors and is aligned with 
the  central  scenario  under  the  Union-wide  ten-years  network  development  plan.  To 
ensure  transparency  and  incorporate  grid  users,  including  generation,  industry,  data 
and  transport  sectors  better  in  the  network  planning,  link  to  Article  55  of  Directive 
(EU)  2024/1788  also  requires  their  early  consultation  during  the  joint  scenario 
development process to allow anticipatory investment.  

(28) 

In view of the amendments to Directives (EU) 2018/2001 and (EU) 2019/944, as well 
as  the  parallel  amendments  to  Regulation  (EU)  2022/869,  the  Commission  should 
introduce  a  unified  approach  to  the  permit-granting  procedures  of  energy  projects. 
While  Directive  (EU)  2024/1788  introduces  measures  to  simplify  and  streamline 
administrative permit-granting procedures a targeted amendment is required to ensure 
a harmonised approach and that a consistent framework is deployed at the Union level. 

17 

18 

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna 
and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj). 
Directive  2009/147/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  30  November  2009  on  the 
conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7, , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/147/oj). 

EN 

26 

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(29)  Lack  of  resources  in  national  authorities  and  the  limited  digitalisation  of  permitting 
procedures  results  in  delays  in  the  permitting  of  natural  gas  facilities,  hydrogen 
production  facilities,  and  hydrogen  system  infrastructure.  Member  States  should 
ensure  that  such  authorities  have adequate  human,  financial  and  technical  resources, 
including skills and digital management tools and systems that enable them to render 
decisions within the deadlines provided in the Directive.  

requests 

(EU)  2024/1788, 

(30)  To  increase  predictability  and  certainty  over  the  duration  and  costs  of  authorisation 
procedures  under  Directive 
information  and 
documentation from applicants should be concrete, specific and contained in time. As 
such  Member  States  should  ensure  that  national  authorities  request  the  relevant 
information to issue the permit from applicants within a pre-specified period counted 
from when the application is received and concretely determine the content and detail 
of  any  information  or  data  requested.  After  such  period,  requests  for  information 
should  be  limited  to  missing  information  that  had  been  previously  identified  or 
requested by the authority, or information that could not be requested before due to the 
fact that it relates to a material change in circumstances taking place after the project 
applied for an authorisation. 

for 

(31)  Regarding  approval  procedures  under  Directive  (EU)  2024/1788,  in  line  with  the 
importance  of  ensuring  the  quick  deployment  of  hydrogen  facilities  and  hydrogen 
system infrastructure and  the fulfilment of the deadlines established in that Directive 
Member States should ensure that, in jurisdictions where the concept of tacit approval 
exists  under  national  law,  it  is  applied  to  administrative  decisions  concerning  such 
projects, except for environmental decisions. To guarantee the rights of third parties to 
judicial protection, the relevant authorities should make public all decisions adopted, 
including those that were tacitly adopted. 

(32) 

In the spirit of simplification, Member States may deem appropriate and more efficient 
to centralise the role of a single  contact point under the obligation of Directive (EU) 
2024/1788 in the national competent authorities referred to in Article 8 of Regulation 
(EU)  2022/869,  as  these  authorities  already  perform  such  role  in  what  concerns  the 
permit-granting procedures of infrastructure projects of common interest and projects 
of  mutual  interest.  When  opting  to  merge  such  roles,  Member  States  should  pay 
particular attention to ensure the contact points are adequately staffed and enjoy of the 
resources and capacity necessary to perform the tasks under their responsibility. 

(33)  To  improve  efficiency, Member  States  should  ensure  the  availability  of  digital 

platforms that facilitate the management of authorisations. 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

Article 1 

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 

Directive (EU) 2018/2001 is amended as follows: 

(1) 

 in Article 2, second paragraph, the following points (10a) to (10f) are inserted:  

(10b) ‘stand-alone energy  storage’  means  energy storage that  is  not  combined with 

an energy-producing facility;  

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27 

  EN 

 
 
(10c)  ‘recharging  station’  means  a  recharging  station  as  defined  in  Article  2,  point 

(52), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;  

(10d) ‘hybridisation’ means the conversion of a renewable energy plant that is not a 

hybrid plant into a hybrid plant behind the same connection point;  

(10e)  ‘hybrid  plant’  means  a  renewable  energy  plant  that  combines  multiple 
renewable  energy  technologies,  or  that  combines  one  or  more  renewable 
energy technologies with energy storage; 

(10f) ‘procedure for a grid connection permit’ means the procedure from the project 
developer’s  complete  request  for  a  connection  to  the  grid  up  to  the  system 
operator’s decision on whether the project can be connected to the grid; 

(2) 

in Article 15c, the following paragraph 6 is added:  

‘6. Member States shall endeavour not to designate large areas where the installation 
of  renewable  energy  plants  and  their  related  infrastructure  is  legally  or  de  facto 
restricted  due  to  environmental  reasons,  including  protection  of  landscape,  unless 
they can demonstrate that those types of plants and their related infrastructure would 
result in irreversible damage in the area which cannot be mitigated or compensated 
for  during  the  environmental  assessment  pursuant  to  Directive  2011/92/EU  and, 
to  Article 6(3)  of 
where 
Directive 92/43/EEC’; 

the  appropriate  assessment  pursuant 

relevant, 

(3) 

in Article 15d, the following paragraphs 3 and 4 are added:  

‘3.  Member  States  shall  adopt  measures  to  ensure  that  a  share  of  the  benefits  of 
renewable  energy  projects  with  an  installed  capacity  above  10  MW  is  passed  on, 
directly  or  indirectly,  to  local  citizens  and  communities  in  proximity  to  those 
projects.  

4. Member States  shall  designate and finance an independent  facilitator to  promote 
dialogue between the project developer and the general public for renewable energy 
projects with an installed capacity above 10MW. The facilitator shall only intervene 
upon request by any of the relevant parties and shall: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

facilitate public consultations, as necessary, including early consultations 
during the phase prior to the permit application;  

engage  to  find  solutions  to  address  potential  concerns  raised  by  local 
communities. 

ensure  support  and  transparency  in  the  choice  of  the  type  of  benefit 
sharing measure, where relevant.  

Member States may set up a fee, paid by project developers, to finance the services 
of the facilitator.’; 

(4) 

Article 16 is amended as follows:  

(a) 

in paragraph 3, the following sentence is deleted: 

‘Applicants shall be allowed to submit relevant documents in digital form.’ 

(b) 

the following paragraph 3a is inserted:  

‘3a.  Member  States  shall  set  up  a  single  digital  portal  at  national  level  for  all  the 
steps  of  the  permit-granting  procedures  for  renewable  energy,  storage  and  grid 
projects. 

EN 

28 

  EN 

Applicants shall submit permit applications and all relevant documents  required for 
the  permit-granting  procedure  only  through  the  single  digital  portal.  The  single 
digital portal shall automatize the attribution of permit applications to the competent 
authorities, which shall process the relevant applications and documents in electronic 
form and interact with the applicants directly in the single digital portal.  

The single digital portal shall include features allowing the applicant to be informed 
about  all  steps  of  the  permit-granting  procedure,  the  status  of  the  procedure  and  of 
the  decisions  of  the  relevant  authorities,  and  to  check  compliance  with  the  permit-
granting deadlines set in this Directive. The single digital portal shall ensure access 
to  the  relevant  environmental  and  geological  data  and  decisions  available  in  the 
single digital geographic information system-based portal referred to in Article 10(3) 
of Regulation [xxxxx] of the European Parliament and of the Council. 

The single digital portal shall publish annual statistical data regarding the duration of 
permit-granting  procedures,  clearly  identifying  the  different  steps  of  the  permit-
granting procedure and their duration. This data shall be publicly available.  

The single contact point or points referred to in paragraph 3 shall have access to all 
relevant data and information available in the portal, in order to perform its duties. 

(5) 

 Article 16b is amended as follows:  

(a) 

in paragraph 2, the following sentence is deleted: 

‘Where a renewable energy project has adopted necessary mitigation measures, any 
killing  or  disturbance  of  the  species  protected  under  Article  12(1)  of  Directive 
92/43/EEC  and  Article  5  of  Directive  2009/147/EC  shall  not  be  considered  to  be 
deliberate’ 

(b) 

the following paragraph 3 is added: 

‘3.  In  the  permit-granting  procedure  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  and  in  paragraph  2, 
second  subparagraph,  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  lack  of  reply  by  the 
relevant  competent  authorities  or  entities  within  the  established  deadline  results  in 
the specific steps to  be considered as approved, except  for  environmental decisions 
and grid connection permits, or where the principle of administrative tacit approval 
does  not  exist  in  the  national  legal  system  of  the  Member  State  concerned.  All 
decisions shall be made publicly available, including final decisions granted tacitly.’;   

(6) 

Article 16c is amended as follows:  

(a) 

paragraph 1 is deleted; 

(b) 

the following paragraph 2b is inserted:  

‘2b.  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  a  change  in  the  status  of  the  land  where  a 
renewable energy installation is placed does not prevent that installation from being 
repowered.’;   

(c) 

the following paragraph 4 is added:  

‘4. Where the repowering of  wind  energy installations increases the total capacity of 
the  installation  without  using  additional  land  surface    and    complies  with  the 
applicable  environmental  mitigation  measures  established  for  the  original  wind 
energy installation, the project shall be exempt from any applicable requirements to 
carry  out  a  screening  process  pursuant  to  Article  16a(4),  to  determine  whether  the 

EN 

29 

  EN 

 
project  requires  an  environmental  impact  assessment  pursuant  to  Article  4(2)  of 
Directive 2011/92/EU or Article 5 of Regulation [xxxxx] of the European Parliament 
and of the Council, or to carry out an environmental impact assessment pursuant to 
Article 4(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU.’;  

(7) 

Article 16d is amended as follows:  

(a) 

paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:  

‘1.  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  permit-granting  procedure  referred  to  in 
Article  16(1)  for  the  installation  of  solar  energy  equipment  and  co-located  energy 
storage  with  a  total  installed  capacity  above  100  kW  in  existing  or  future  artificial 
structures,  with  the  exclusion  of  artificial  water  surfaces,  shall  not  exceed  three 
months, provided that the primary aim of such artificial structures is not solar energy 
production  or  energy  storage.  By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  4(2)  of  Directive 
2011/92/EU  and  Annex  II,  points  3(a)  and  (b),  alone  or  in  conjunction  with  point 
13(a),  to  that  Directive,  the  installation  of  solar  energy  equipment  and  co-located 
energy storage referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be exempt from 
the  requirement,  where  applicable,  to  carry  out  a  dedicated  environmental  impact 
assessment pursuant to Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU .’ 

(b)  paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: 

‘Member  States  shall  not  require  any  administrative  permits,  including  on 
environmental  aspects,  with  the  exception  of  grid  connection  permits,  for  the 
installation  of  solar  energy  equipment  and  co-located  energy  storage  with  a  total 
installed  capacity  of  100  kW  or  less.  Without  prejudice  to  paragraph  1,  Member 
States shall restrict the application of this paragraph in Natura 2000 areas and other 
areas under national protection schemes and cultural or historical heritage protected 
areas’;  

(c) 

the following paragraphs 3 and 4 are added:   

‘3.  Member  States  may  exclude  certain  areas  from  the  application  of  paragraphs  1 
and  2  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  cultural,  historical  heritage,  national  defense 
interests, or for safety or for grid security reasons. 

4. Member States shall remove regulatory and non-regulatory barriers that affect the 
installation  of  plug-in  mini-solar  systems  of  up  to  800  W  capacity  in  and  on 
buildings.’; 

(8) 

Article 16f is amended as follows:  

(a) 

the last two sentences are deleted; 

(b) 

the following paragraph is added:  

‘Until climate neutrality is achieved, Member States shall ensure that, in the permit-
granting  procedure,  the  planning,  construction  and  operation  of  plants  and 
installations  for  the  production  of  energy  from  renewable  sources,  and  their 
connection to  the  grid, the related grid itself, storage  assets  and  recharging stations 
are presumed as being in the overriding public interest and, in such case, are given 
priority  when  balancing  legal  interests  other  than  those  referred  to  in  the  first 
paragraph.  Member States may exclude the application of this presumption for the 
purpose  of  protecting  culture  heritage  on  the  basis  of  legal  criteria  to  ensure 
harmonized implementation.’; 

(9) 

the following Articles 16g to 16k are inserted: 

EN 

30 

  EN 

Absence of alternative or satisfactory solutions and implementation of compensatory 
measures for the purpose of Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC 

‘Article 16g 

1. 

2. 

When  assessing  whether  satisfactory  alternative  solutions  to  projects  of  renewable 
energy  plants,  the  connection  of  such  plants  to  the  grid,  the  related  grid  itself  and 
storage  assets  exist  for  the  purposes  of  Articles  6(4)  and  16(1)  of  Directive 
92/43/EEC,  Article  4(7),  point  (d),  of  Directive  2000/60/EC  and  Article  9(1)  of 
Directive 2009/147/EC, the condition of having no satisfactory alternatives shall be 
fulfilled  if  there  are  no  satisfactory  alternative  solutions  capable  of  achieving  the 
same  objective  of  the  project  in  question  in  terms  of  the  development  of  the  same 
renewable  energy capacity  through the same energy technology  within the same or 
similar timeframe and without resulting in significantly higher costs.  

When implementing compensatory measures for projects of renewable energy plants, 
the connection of such plants to the grid, the related grid itself and storage assets, for 
the purpose of Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Member States may, in justified 
cases and where it can be reasonably demonstrated that the plan or project would not 
irreversibly affect the ecological processes essential for maintaining the structure and 
functions  of  the  site  and  compromise  the  overall  coherence  of  the  Natura  2000 
network  before  compensatory  measures  are  put  into  place,  allow  for  such 
compensatory measures  to be carried out in parallel with the implementation of the 
project . Member States shall allow for those compensatory measures to be adapted 
over time in accordance with the precautionary principle, depending on whether the 
significant negative effects are expected to arise in the short, medium or long term. 

Permit-granting procedure for stand-alone energy storage other than hydrogen storage 

Article 16h 

1. 

2. 

The  permit-granting  procedure  for  stand-alone  energy  storage,  other  than  hydrogen 
storage, shall cover all relevant administrative permits to build, repower and operate 
stand-alone  storage,  including  grid  connection  permits  and,  where  required, 
environmental  assessments  and  permits.  The  permit-granting  procedure  shall 
comprise all administrative stages from the acknowledgment of the completeness of 
the permit application to the notification of the final decision on the outcome of the 
permit-granting procedure by the relevant competent authority or authorities. Within 
30  days  of  receipt  of  an  application  for  a  permit,  the  competent  authority  shall 
acknowledge the completeness of the application or, if the applicant has not sent all 
the information required to process the application, request that the applicant submit 
a  complete  application  without  undue  delay.  The  date  of  acknowledgement  of  the 
completeness of the application by the competent authority shall serve as the start of 
the permit-granting procedure. 

Member States shall not require any administrative permit, including environmental 
ones,  with  the  exception  of  grid  connection  permits,  for  the  installation  of  stand-
alone storage, other than hydrogen storage, with a total installed capacity of 100 kW 
or  less.  By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  2(1)  of  Directive  2011/92/EU,  the 
installation of that storage shall be exempt from the requirement applicable pursuant 
to  Article  2(1)  of  that  Directive,  to  carry  out  a  dedicated  environmental  impact 
assessment.  Member  States  shall  restrict  the  application  of  this  subparagraph  in 

EN 

31 

  EN 

 
3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

Natura 2000 areas and other areas under national protection schemes and cultural or 
historical heritage protected areas.  

Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  permit-granting  procedures,  including  grid 
connection permits and, where required, environmental assessments, shall not exceed 
six months for stand-alone energy storage, other than hydrogen storage, with a total 
installed  capacity  above  100  kW.  However,  in  the  case  of  pumped  hydropower 
storage, the permit-granting procedure shall not exceed two years.  

Article 16i 

Permit-granting procedure for recharging stations 

The  permit-granting  procedure  for  recharging  stations  shall  cover  all  relevant 
administrative  permits  to  build,  repower  and  operate  recharging  stations  including 
grid  connection  permits  and,  where  required,  environmental  assessments  and 
permits. The permit-granting procedure shall comprise all administrative stages from 
the acknowledgment of the completeness of the permit application to the notification 
of the final decision on the outcome of the permit-granting procedure by the relevant 
competent authority or authorities. Within 30 days of receipt of an application for a 
permit,  the  competent  authority  shall  acknowledge  the  completeness  of  the 
application or, if the applicant has not sent all the information required to process the 
application, request  that  the applicant  submit a  complete application without  undue 
delay.  The  date  of  acknowledgement  of  the  completeness  of  the  application  by  the 
competent authority shall serve as the start of the permit-granting procedure. 

including  on 
Member  States  shall  not  require  any  administrative  permit, 
environmental  aspects,  with  the  exception  of  grid  connection  permits,  for  the 
installation of recharging stations with  a total  installed capacity of 100 kW or less. 
By way of derogation from Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU, the installation of 
those  stations  shall  be  exempt  from  the  requirement,  where  applicable  pursuant  to 
Article  2(1)  of  that  Directive,  to  carry  out  a  dedicated  environmental  impact 
assessment.  Member  States  shall  restrict  the  application  of  this  subparagraph  in 
Natura 2000 areas and other areas under national protection schemes and cultural or 
historical heritage protected areas.  

Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  permit-granting  procedures,  including  grid 
connection permits and, where required, environmental assessments, shall not exceed 
six months for recharging stations with a total installed capacity above 100 kW. 

Article 16j 

Permit-granting procedure for the hybridisation of renewable energy plants 

Where the hybridisation of a renewable energy power plant is subject to a screening 
process pursuant to Article 16a(4), to a determination whether the project requires an 
environmental impact assessment or to an environmental impact assessment pursuant 
to  Article 4  of  Directive 2011/92/EU,  such  a  screening  process,  determination  or 
environmental impact assessment shall be limited to the potential impact arising from 
the addition compared to the original project. 

EN 

32 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
2. 

In cases of change of the use status of land on which renewable energy projects are 
installed,  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  operation  and  hybridisation  of  those 
renewable energy projects can still occur.’;  

(10) 

Article 17 is replaced by the following:  

‘Article 17 

Procedures for grid connection permits  

1. 

Member States shall ensure that the procedures for the grid connection permit do not 
exceed:  

(a) 

(b) 

one  month  for  the  solar  energy  equipment  and  co-located  energy  storage 
referred  to  in  Articles  16d(2),  the  stand-alone  energy  storage  referred  to  in 
Article 16h(2), and the recharging stations referred to in Article 16i(2);  

three months for the installation of the solar energy equipment and co-located 
energy  storage  referred  to  in  Article  16d(1),  and  the  repowering  or 
hybridisation  of  existing  renewable  energy  plants  referred  to  in  Articles  16c 
and  16j,  unless  there  are  justified  safety  concerns  or  there  is  technical 
incompatibility of the system components or, if due to the size of the capacity 
increase, more time is required to carry out the assessment.  

2. 

Within the deadlines set out in Article 16a(1), Article 16b(1), and paragraph 1 of this 
Article, the system operator shall choose one of the following actions: 

(a)  where there is sufficient capacity and the requested connection does not affect 
grid  stability,  reliability  and  safety,  accept  the  requested  grid  connection  and 
grant the connection,  

(b)  where there is insufficient grid capacity, propose, where technically possible, a 
flexible connection agreement in accordance with Article 6a of Directive (EU) 
2019/944.    

Where a proposal for an agreement referred to in paragraph 2, point (b), is rejected 
by  the  project  developer,  the  system  operator  shall,  on  justified  grounds  of  safety 
concerns  or  technical  incompatibility  of  the  system  components,  propose  an 
alternative  grid  connection  point,  an  alternative  provisional  date  for  the  grid 
connection, or, if not possible, reject the connection request. 

The lack of reply by the distribution system operator within the deadline established 
in  paragraph  1,  point  (a),  shall  result  in  the  connection  permit  being  considered  as 
granted, provided that the capacity of the solar energy equipment, the energy storage 
or  the  recharging  stations  does  not  exceed  the  available  existing  capacity  of  the 
connection to the distribution grid.’.  

3. 

4. 

Article 2 

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2019/944 

Directive (EU) 2019/944 is amended as follows: 

EN 

33 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
(1) 

 Article 8 is replaced by the following: 

‘Article 8  

Authorisation procedure 

1. 

In circumstances where an authorisation, such as a licence, permission, concession, 
consent or approval, is required for the construction or operation of transmission or 
distribution system infrastructure for electricity, or associated equipment,  or for the 
construction of new generating capacity, Member State, or any competent authority 
they designate, shall grant such authorisation in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 14. 
Member  States  or  any  competent  authority  they  designate  may  also  grant 
authorisations  on  the  same  basis  for  the  supply  of  electricity  and  for  wholesale 
customers. 

2. 

Member States that implement a system of authorisation shall: 

(a) 

establish  objective  and  non-discriminatory  criteria,  along  with  transparent 
procedures, which must be satisfied by any undertaking seeking  authorisation 
to construct and/or operate new generating capacity, as well as transmission or 
distribution system infrastructure.  

(b)  make public the criteria and procedures for granting authorisations; 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

ensure  that  authorisation  procedures  for  such  generation  capacity,  and 
infrastructure, or associated equipment, take into account the importance of the 
project  for  the  internal  markets  for  electricity  and  renewable  energy  sources, 
where appropriate; 

ensure  that  authorisation  procedures  take  into  account  the  necessity,  or  lack 
thereof,  for  conducting  assessments  in  accordance  with  Council  Directive 
92/43/EEC19  and  Directives  2000/60/EC20,  2001/42/EC21,  2009/147/EC22, 
Directive 2011/92/EU23; 

ensure  the  existence  of  specific,  simplified  and  streamlined  authorisation 
procedures 
for  small  decentralised  and/or  distributed  generation  and 
distribution  system  infrastructure,  taking  into  account  their  limited  size  and 
potential impact;  

(f) 

that  guidelines  for 

ensure 
those  specific  authorisation  procedures  are 
established  and  revised  by  regulatory  authorities  or  other  competent  national 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna 
and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj) 
Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a 
framework  for  Community  action  in  the  field  of  water  policy  (OJ  L  327,  22.12.2000,  p.  1,  ELI: 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2000/60/oj) 
Directive  2001/42/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  27  June  2001  on  the 
assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p. 
30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2001/42/oj). 
Directive  2009/147/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  30  November  2009  on  the 
conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/147/oj). 
Directive  2011/92/EU  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  13  December  2011  on  the 
assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, 
p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/92/oj). 

EN 

34 

  EN 

 
 
authorities, 
amendments; 

including  planning  authorities,  which  may 

recommend 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

ensure that all decisions are made publicly available; 

ensure  applicants  are  informed  of  the  reasons  for  any  refusal  to  grant  an 
authorisation.  That  these  reasons  are  objective,  non-discriminatory,  well-
founded and duly substantiated, and that appeal procedures are made available 
to applicants; 

ensure  that  competent  national  authorities  have  adequate  technical,  financial 
and  human  resources  to  render  a  decision,  on  the  authorisation  within  the 
applicable timeframes; 

3. 

Where  Member  States  implement  a  system  of  authorisation  for  transmission  or 
distribution system infrastructure for electricity, Member States shall also: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

ensure  consistency  of  the  system  of  authorisation  for  transmission  and 
distribution  system  infrastructure  with  the  distribution  network  development 
plan and the transmission ten-year network development plan adopted pursuant 
to Articles 32 and 51; 

ensure  that  authorisation  procedures,  including  all  relevant  procedures  of  the 
competent authorities, do not exceed two years except when duly justified on 
the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, where they may be extended by up 
to one year; 

ensure  that  the  lack  of  reply  by  the  competent  national  authorities  or  entities 
within  the  deadline  established  in  point  b  results  in  the  specific  steps  to  be 
considered as approved, except for the environmental decisions and where the 
principle  of  administrative  tacit  approval  does  not  exist  in  the  national  legal 
system of the Member State concerned; 

ensure that the publication of final  decisions  includes  decision granted tacitly 
following the lack of reply by the relevant competent authorities or entities; 

that 

the  authorisation  of 

ensure 
transmission  or  distribution  system 
infrastructure  is  regarded  as  essential  for  the  integration  of  renewable  energy 
resources, as well as for achieving climate and energy targets and the objective 
of climate neutrality. 

4. 

5. 

Member  States  shall  establish  or  designate  one  or  more  contact  points  for 
transmission  or  distribution  system  operators.  Those  contact  points  shall,  upon  the 
applicant’s  request  and  free  of  charge,  provide  guidance  to  the  applicant  and 
facilitate the entire authorisation procedure for the activities referred to in paragraph 
1, up to the final decision by the responsible authorities.  The applicant shall not be 
required to contact more than one contact point for the entire process. 

The contact points may be the same as the national competent authorities referred to 
in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869 or the contact points referred to in Article 
16 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 

Where  Member  States  implement  a  system  of  authorisation  for  transmission  or 
distribution  system  infrastructure  for  electricity,  Member  States  shall  ensure  that, 
where any studies, reports and documentation required for the procedure are missing 
from  the  applications,  the  competent  national  authorities,  in  cooperation  with  other 
relevant  authorities,  request  the  necessary  materials  from  the  developer,  specifying 

EN 

35 

  EN 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

their scope and level of detail, within three months from the application. Within the 
same three-month period, the national competent authority shall inform the developer 
whether the presumptions under paragraph 10 do not apply to the project. After that 
period, neither the competent authority nor any other relevant authority shall request 
additional  information,  studies,  reports  or  assessments,  except  in  cases  where  a 
material change has occurred to the project or its surrounding environment, rendering 
the  initial  criteria  upon  which  determinations  were  based  no  longer  appropriate. 
Where  such  material  change  has  occurred  the  national  competent  authority  shall 
provide  the  project  promoter  with  a  well-reasoned  justification  for  the  request  for 
additional information. 

The time limit established in paragraph 3 of this Article shall apply without prejudice 
to  obligations  under  applicable  Union  environmental  and  energy  law,  including 
Directive  (EU)  2018/2001,  to  judicial  appeals,  remedies  and  other  proceedings 
before  a court  or  tribunal,  and  to  alternative  dispute  resolution  mechanisms, 
including  complaints  procedures,  non-judicial  appeals  and  remedies,  and  may  be 
extended for the duration of such procedures. 

This  Article  shall  apply  without  affecting  Articles  7  to  10  of  Regulation  (EU) 
2022/869 and Article 15 and Articles 15b to 17 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. 

Until climate neutrality is achieved at Union level, Member States shall ensure that, 
in the necessary case-by-case assessments in the context of authorisation procedures, 
the  planning,  the  construction  and  operation  of  transmission  or  distribution  system 
infrastructure  are  presumed  as  being  in  the  overriding  public  interest  and  serving 
public  health  and  safety  when  balancing  legal  interests  in  individual  cases  for  the 
purposes of Article 6(4) and Article 16(1), point (c), of Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 
4(7) of Directive 2000/60/EC and Article 9(1), point (a), of Directive 2009/147/EC. 
Member  States  may,  in  duly  justified  and  specific  circumstances,  restrict  the 
application  to  certain  parts  of  their  territory,  to  certain  types  of  technology  or  to 
projects with certain technical characteristics. 

Member States shall ensure that those projects are also given priority when balancing 
legal  interests  other  than  those  referred  to  in  this  paragraph  with  the  exception  of 
cultural heritage on the basis of legal criteria to ensure harmonized implementation. 

Until climate neutrality is achieved at Union level, by way of derogation from Article 
2(1) and Article 4(1) and 4(2) of Directive 2011/92/EU and Annex I, point 20, and 
Annex II, point (3)(b), of that Directive, and by way of derogation from Article 6(3) 
of  Directive  92/43/EEC,  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the  competent  authority 
may, under justified circumstances, including the need to accelerate the deployment 
of  the  electricity  system  infrastructure  to  achieve  climate  neutrality  and  renewable 
energy  targets,  exempt  the  refurbishment,  modernisation,  or  repowering  of  existing 
transmission  and  distribution  system  infrastructure,  provided  it  does  not  entail  the 
use  of  additional  space  and  complies  with  the  applicable  environmental  mitigation 
measures established for the original installation, from: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

the  environmental  impact  assessment  pursuant  to  Article  2(1)  of  Directive 
2011/92/EU; 

an  assessment  of  their  implications  for  Natura  2000  sites  pursuant  to  Article 
6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC; 

the  assessment  of  their  implications  on  species  protection  pursuant  to  Article 
12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC and to Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC; 

EN 

36 

  EN 

(d) 

the  screening  pursuant  to  Article  5  of  Regulation  [xxxxx]  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council, 

Those exemptions shall not apply to the refurbishment, modernisation or repowering 
of existing  transmission and distribution system infrastructure, and the construction 
of new distribution system infrastructure, or associated equipment, which are likely 
to  have  significant  effects  on  the  environment  in  another  Member  State,  in 
accordance with Article 7 of Directive 2011/92/EU.  

Member  States  shall  restrict  the  application  of  this  paragraph  in  Natura  2000  areas 
and other areas under national protection schemes and cultural or historical heritage 
protected areas. 

Under  justified  circumstances,  Member  States  may  also  apply  the  exemptions 
referred  to  in  paragraph  9  to  the  construction  of  new  distribution  infrastructure  or 
associated equipment, provided that the relevant project has undergone a screening in 
accordance  with  Directive  with  Article  4(2)  of  Directive  2011/92/EC  whereby  the 
competent  national authority has ascertained that  the project  is  not  likely to  have a 
significant environmental impact, notably in view of the particularities of the area in 
which the project is deployed, such as urban and densely built areas.   

Those  exemptions  shall  not  apply  to  the  construction  of  new  distribution 
infrastructure or associated equipment, which are likely to have significant effects on 
the environment in another Member State, in accordance with Article 7 of Directive 
2011/92/EU.  

Where  the  screening  referred  to  in  the  first  subparagraph  identifies  a  likely 
significant  environmental  impact,  the  competent  authority  shall  inform  the  project 
developer within 45 days from the application that an assessment referred to in points 
(a), (b) and  (c) of paragraph 9 is required. 

Member  States  shall  restrict  the  application  of  this  paragraph  in  Natura  2000  areas 
and other areas under national protection schemes and cultural or historical heritage 
protected areas. 

The  planning,  construction  and  operation  of  transmission  and  distribution  system 
infrastructure  shall  be  presumed  to  contribute  to  a  long-term  reduction  of  nitrogen 
emissions and shall not require an assessment of nitrogen emissions in an assessment 
that may be carried out to comply with Article 6 of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. 

An environmental impact assessment in accordance with Directive 2011/92/EU, and, 
where  applicable,  an  appropriate  assessment  under  Directive  92/43/EEC,  for  a 
project  for  the  extension,  refurbishment,  modernisation  or  repowering  of  existing 
transmission or distribution system  infrastructure, shall be limited to  evaluating the 
potential  impact  arising  from  the  changes  or  extensions  compared  to  the  original 
transmission or distribution system infrastructure. 

To  manage  authorisations  within  the  meaning  of  paragraph  1,  Member  States  shall 
ensure  that  digital  platforms  are  in  place  to  manage  applications,  the  associated 
process, and ongoing decisions.  

Those  platforms  shall  provide  access  to  the  relevant  environmental  and  geological 
data and decisions available in the central online portal referred to in Article 10(3) of 
Regulation [xxxxx] of the European Parliament and of the Council.’; 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

(2) 

the following Article 8a is inserted: 

EN 

37 

  EN 

Absence of alternative or satisfactory solutions and implementation of compensatory 
measures for the purpose of Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC 

‘Article 8a  

14. 

15. 

When  assessing  whether  satisfactory  alternative  solutions  to  transmission  or 
distribution  system  infrastructure  projects,  and  associated  equipment,  exist  for  the 
purposes  of  Articles  6(4)  and  Article  16(1)  of  Directive  92/43/EEC,  Article  4(7), 
point  (d),  of  Directive  2000/60/EC  and  Article  9(1)  of  Directive  2009/147/EC,  the 
condition of having no satisfactory alternatives shall be fulfilled where there are no 
satisfactory  alternative  solutions  capable  of  achieving  the  same  objective  of  the 
project  in  question,  in  terms  of  the  development  of  the  same  capacity  through  the 
same  technology  within  the  same  or  similar  timeframe  and  without  resulting  in 
significantly higher costs. 

When implementing compensatory measures for transmission or distribution system 
infrastructure projects, and associated equipment, for the purpose of Article 6(4) of 
Directive  92/43/EEC,  Member  States  may,  in  justified  cases  and  where  it  can  be 
reasonably  demonstrated  that  the  plan  or  project  would  not  irreversibly  affect  the 
ecological processes essential for maintaining the structure and functions of the site 
and  would  compromise  the  overall  coherence  of  the  Natura  2000  network  before 
compensatory measures are put into place,  allow for such compensatory measures to 
be carried out in parallel with the implementation of the project. Member States may 
allow for those compensatory measures to be adapted over time in accordance with 
the precautionary principle, depending on whether the significant negative effects are 
expected to arise in the short, medium or long term.’; 

(3) 

the following Article 40a is inserted: 

‘Article 40a  

1. 

Network development and powers to make investment decisions 

At  least  every  two  years,  all  transmission  system  operators  shall  submit  to  the 
regulatory  authority  a  ten-year  network  development  plan  based  on  existing  and 
forecast  supply  and  demand  after  having  consulted  all  the  relevant  stakeholders,  in 
accordance with paragraph 2, point (c). That network development plan shall contain 
efficient measures in order to guarantee the adequacy of the system and the security 
of  supply.  The  transmission  system  operator  shall  publish  the  ten-year  network 
development plan on its website. 

Member  States  shall  endeavour  to  ensure  coordinated  planning  steps  of  the 
respective  ten-year  network  development  plans  for  natural  gas,  hydrogen  and 
electricity. 

2. 

The ten-year network development plan shall in particular: 

(a) 

(b) 

indicate to market participants the main transmission infrastructure that needs 
to  be  built  or  upgraded  over  the  next  ten  years  and  next  fifteen  years, 
considering  the  potential  of  anticipatory  investments  to  accommodate  future 
system needs; 

consider  with  priority  use  of  non-fossil  flexibility  resources  pursuant  to 
Regulation  (EU)  2019/943,  non-wire  solutions  pursuant  to  Regulation  (EU) 
[TEN-E Regulation as proposed by COM(2025)xxxx], and other alternatives to 
system expansion; 

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(c) 

be based on a joint scenario developed every two years pursuant to Article 55 
of  Directive  (EU)  2024/1788  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council24, 
which  shall  be  consistent  with  the  central  scenario  and  the  sensitivities 
developed  in  accordance  with  Article  11  of  Regulation  (EU)  [TEN-E 
Regulation as proposed by COM(2025)xxxx]; 

(d)  be in line with the integrated national energy and climate plan and its updates, 
take into account the state of play in the integrated national energy and climate 
plans submitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, be consistent 
with  targets  set  by  Directive  (EU)  2018/2001,  follow  the  application  of  the 
energy  efficiency  first  principle  in  accordance  with  Article  27  of  Directive 
(EU) 2023/1791 and support the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 
2(1)  and  Article  4(1)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/1119  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council25; 

(e) 

contain  all  the  investments  already  decided  and  identify  new  investments 
which have to be executed in the next three years;  

(f) 

provide for a time frame for all investment projects. 

New infrastructure projects shall be accompanied by an explanation how non-wired 
solutions,  non-fossil  flexibility  resources  or  other  alternatives  to  system  expansion 
were taken into account. 

When  elaborating  the  ten-year  network  development  plan,  the  transmission  system 
operator  shall  fully  take  into  account  the  potential  for  the  use  of  demand  response, 
energy  storage  facilities  or  other  resources  as  alternatives  to  system  expansion,  as 
well  as  expected  consumption,  trade  with  other  countries  and  investment  plans  for 
Union-wide and regional networks. 

The regulatory authority shall consult all actual or potential system users on the ten-
year  network  development  plan  in  an  open  and  transparent  manner.  Persons  or 
undertakings  claiming  to  be  potential  system  users  may  be  required  to  substantiate 
such  claims.  The  regulatory  authority  shall  publish  the  result  of  the  consultation 
process, in particular possible needs for investments. 

The  regulatory  authority  shall  approve  or  request  the  amendment  of  the  ten-year 
network development  plan and examine whether the ten-year network development 
plan  covers  all  investment  needs  identified  during  the  consultation  process,  and 
whether  it  is  consistent  with  the  non-binding  Union-wide  ten-year  network 
development plan (‘Union-wide network development plan’) referred to in of Article 
30(1),  point  (b),  of  Regulation  (EU)  2019/943.  Where  any  doubt  arises  as  to  the 
consistency with the Union-wide network development plan, the regulatory authority 
shall  consult  ACER.  The  regulatory  authority  may  require  the  transmission  system 
operator to amend its ten-year network development plan. 

and 

repealing  Directive  2009/73/EC 

Directive (EU) 2024/1788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common 
rules  for  the  internal  markets  for  renewable  gas,  natural  gas  and  hydrogen,  amending  Directive  (EU) 
(OJ  L,  2024/1788,  15.7.2024,  ELI: 
2023/1791 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1788/oj) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing 
the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 
1, 
2018/1999 
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj) 

9.7.2021, 

(‘European 

Climate 

243, 

Law’) 

(OJ 

p. 

L 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

24 

25 

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39 

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7. 

8. 

The  competent  national  authorities  shall  examine  the  consistency  of  the  ten-year 
network  development  plan  with  the  national  energy  and  climate  plan  submitted  in 
accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. 

The  regulatory  authority  shall  monitor  and  evaluate  the  implementation  of  the  ten-
year network development plan. 

the 

independent  system  operator,  or 

In  circumstances  where 
independent 
transmission operator, other than for overriding reasons beyond its control, does not 
execute an investment, which, under the ten-year network development plan, was to 
be  executed  in  the  following  three  years,  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  the 
regulatory  authority  is  required  to  take  at  least  one  of  the  following  measures  to 
ensure that the investment in question is made where such investment is still relevant 
on the basis of the most recent ten-year network development plan: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

to  require  the  transmission  system  operator  to  execute  the  investments  in 
question; 

to  organise  a  tender  procedure  open  to  any  investors  for  the  investment  in 
question; or 

to  oblige  the  transmission  system  operator  to  accept  a  capital  increase  to 
finance  the  necessary  investments  and  allow  independent  investors  to 
participate in the capital. 

9. 

Where the regulatory authority has made use of its powers under paragraph 8, point 
(b),  it  may  oblige  the  transmission  system  operator  to  agree  to  one  or  more  of  the 
following: 

(a) 

financing by any third party; 

(b) 

construction by any third party; 

(c) 

building the new assets concerned itself; 

(d)  operating the new asset concerned itself.  

The  transmission  system  operator  shall  provide  the  investors  with  all  information 
needed  to  realise  the  investment,  shall  connect  new  assets  to  the  transmission 
network and shall generally make its best efforts to facilitate the implementation of 
the investment project. 

The  relevant  financial  arrangements  shall  be  subject  to  approval  by  the  regulatory 
authority. 

10. 

Where  the  regulatory  authority  has  made  use  of  its  powers  under  paragraph  8,  the 
relevant tariff regulations shall cover the costs of the investments in question.’; 

(4) 

Article 51 is deleted. 

(5) 

in Article 59(1), the following point is inserted: 

‘(bb)  approving and requesting the amendment of the ten-year network development 
plans referred to in Article 40a.’; 

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Article 3 

Amendments to Directive (EU) 2024/1788  

Directive (EU) 2024/1788 is amended as follows: 

(1) 

Article 8 is amended as follows: 

(a) 

paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

‘1.  

In  circumstances  where  an  authorisation,  such  as  a  licence,  permission,  concession, 
consent  or  approval,  is  required  for  the  construction  or  operation  of  natural  gas 
facilities, hydrogen production facilities, and hydrogen system infrastructure,  Member 
States or any competent authority they designate, shall grant authorisations to build or 
operate  such  facilities,  infrastructure,  pipelines  or  associated  equipment  within  their 
territory, in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 11 and paragraph 16. Member States or 
any  competent  authority  they  designate,  may  also  grant  authorisations  on  the  same 
basis for the supply of natural gas and hydrogen and for wholesale customers.’; 

(b) 

the following paragraphs 5a to 5d are inserted:  

‘5a.   Member  States  shall  ensure  that,  where  any  studies,  reports,  or  documentation 
required for the procedure are missing from the applications, the competent national 
authorities,  in  cooperation  with  other  relevant  authorities  concerned,  request  the 
necessary  materials  from  the  developer,  specifying  their  scope  and  level  of  detail, 
within three months of the application. 

After  that  period,  neither  the  competent  authority  nor  any  other  relevant  authority 
concerned  shall  request  additional  information,  studies,  reports,  or  assessments, 
except in cases where a material change has occurred to the project or its surrounding 
environment,  rendering  the  initial  criteria  on  which  determinations  were  based  no 
longer appropriate. In such instances, the national competent authority shall provide 
the project promoter with a well-reasoned justification for the request for additional 
information. 

5b.   Member  States  shall  ensure  that  competent  national  authorities  are  equipped  with 
adequate  technical,  financial  and  human  resources  to  render  a  decision  on  the 
authorisation within the timeframe specified in paragraph 5.   

5c.  

In  the  authorisation  procedure  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  concerning  hydrogen 
production facilities and hydrogen system  infrastructure, Member States shall ensure 
that the lack of reply by the relevant competent national authorities within the deadline 
referred  to  in  paragraph  5  results  in  the  specific  steps  to  be  considered  as  approved, 
except for the environmental decisions and where the principle of administrative tacit 
approval is not recognised in the national legal system of the Member State concerned. 

5d.   All decisions shall be made publicly available, including final decisions granted tacitly 

following the lack of reply by the relevant competent authorities.’; 

(c) 

in paragraph 8, the following subparagraph is added: 

‘The contact points may be the same as the national competent authorities referred to 
in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869, or the contact points defined under Article 
16 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.’; 

(d) 

the following paragraph 16 is added: 

‘16.   To manage authorisations within the meaning of paragraph 1 of this Article, Member 
States  shall  ensure  the  digital  platforms  are  in  place  to  handle  applications,  the 

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associated process, and ongoing decision.  Those platforms shall provide access to the 
relevant  environmental  and  geological  data  and  decisions  available  in  the  central 
online portal referred to in Article 10(3) of .’ 

Article 4 

Transposition 

1. 

Member  States  shall  bring  into  force  the  laws,  regulations  and  administrative 
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by [two years after its adoption] 
at the latest. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those 
provisions. 

When  Member  States  adopt  those  provisions,  they  shall  contain  a  reference  to  this 
Directive  or  be  accompanied  by  such  a  reference  on  the  occasion  of  their  official 
publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made. 

2. 

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions 
of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. 

Article 5 

Entry into force 

This  Directive  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  twentieth  day  following  that  of  its 
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 6 

Addressees 

This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL AND DIGITAL STATEMENT 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ................................................. 3 

Title of the proposal/initiative ...................................................................................... 3 

Policy area(s) concerned .............................................................................................. 3 

Objective(s) .................................................................................................................. 3 

1.3.1.  General objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3 

1.3.2.  Specific objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3 

1.3.3.  Expected result(s) and impact ...................................................................................... 3 

1.3.4. 

Indicators of performance ............................................................................................ 3 

1.4. 

1.5. 

The proposal/initiative relates to: ................................................................................. 4 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative .............................................................................. 4 

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for 

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative ............................................................ 4 

1.5.2.  Added value of EU involvement (it may result from different factors, e.g. 

coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For 
the purposes of this section 'added value of EU involvement' is the value resulting 
from EU action, that is additional to the value that would have been otherwise 
created by Member States alone. ................................................................................. 4 

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past .................................................. 4 

1.5.4.  Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with 
other appropriate instruments ....................................................................................... 5 

1.5.5.  Assessment of the different available financing options, including scope for 

redeployment ................................................................................................................ 5 

1.6. 

1.7. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.2.1. 

2.2.2. 

Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact .................................... 6 

Method(s) of budget implementation planned ............................................................. 6 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES................................................................................... 8 

Monitoring and reporting rules .................................................................................... 8 

Management and control system(s) ............................................................................. 8 

Justification of the budget implementation method(s), the funding implementation 
mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed .................. 8 

Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up 
to mitigate them............................................................................................................ 8 

2.2.3.  Estimation and justification of the cost-effectiveness of the controls (ratio between 

the control costs  and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the 
expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure) ........................................... 8 

2.3. 

3. 

3.1. 

Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities ................................................................ 9 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ............ 10 

Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) 
affected ....................................................................................................................... 10 

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3.2. 

Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations ................................... 12 

3.2.1.  Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations.................................... 12 

3.2.1.1.  Appropriations from voted budget ............................................................................. 12 

3.2.1.2.  Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 17 

3.2.2.  Estimated output funded from operational appropriations......................................... 22 

3.2.3.  Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations ............................... 24 

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget .............................................................................. 24 

3.2.3.2.  Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 24 

3.2.3.3.  Total appropriations ................................................................................................... 24 

3.2.4.  Estimated requirements of human resources.............................................................. 25 

3.2.4.1.  Financed from voted budget....................................................................................... 25 

3.2.4.2.  Financed from external assigned revenues ................................................................ 26 

3.2.4.3.  Total requirements of human resources ..................................................................... 26 

3.2.5.  Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments ................ 28 

3.2.6.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework.............................. 28 

3.2.7.  Third-party contributions ........................................................................................... 28 

3.3. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

Estimated impact on revenue ..................................................................................... 29 

DIGITAL DIMENSIONS .......................................................................................... 29 

Requirements of digital relevance .............................................................................. 30 

Data ............................................................................................................................ 30 

Digital solutions ......................................................................................................... 31 

Interoperability assessment ........................................................................................ 31 

Measures to support digital implementation .............................................................. 32 

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1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1. 

Title of the proposal/initiative 

Directive amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 
2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788  

1.2. 

Policy area(s) concerned  

Renewable energy, Energy Infrastructre, environmental protection 

1.3. 

Objective(s) 

1.3.1.  General objective(s) 

The  general  objective  is  the  timely  and  efficient  development  of  resilient  energy 
infrastructure,  renewable  energy  and  flexibility,  including  storage  and  recharging 
stations, across the EU. This will enable the EU to deliver on its energy and climate 
objectives,  including  ensuring  energy  affordability  through  better  interconnectivity, 
leading  to  price  convergence,  reduced  wholesale  electricity  prices  and  lower 
volatility of electricity prices, as well as to accelerated connection of generation and 
demand. 

1.3.2. 

Specific objective(s) 

Specific objective No 1 

Shorten  and  simplify  permitting-granting  procedures  for  energy  infrastructure, 
renewable  energy  and  storage  projects,  as  well  as  recharging  stations,  leading  to 
shorter  time  to  obtain  necessary  permits,  making  it  feasible  to  meet  the  existing 
deadlines, and simplified permit requirements. 

1.3.3.  Expected result(s) and impact 

Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. 

[…]Economic Impact 

Through  creating  a  clear  framework  with  concrete  shorter  deadlines  and  simpler 
procedures  for  the  development  of  RES  projects,  grids,  storage  and  recharging 
stations,  the  proposal  would  lead  to  shorter  lead  time  for  projects  and  thus  bring 
positive  economic  benefits.  This  is  supported  by  the  experience  with  the 
implementation  of  binding  and  optional  measures  to  accelerate  permitting  as 
introduced  by  the  Emergency  Regulation.  Germany  has  made  extensive  use  of  the 
measures  in  this  Regulation  resulting  in  a  substantial  acceleration  of  permitting. 
Addressing delays in project implementation is expected to generate benefits in terms 
of overall reduced wholesale electricity prices and increase total welfare. 

 Competitiveness 

In  general,  if  Europe  can  significantly  shorten  planning  and  permitting-granting 
procedures,  in  addition  to  achieving  direct  economic  benefits,  its  competitive 
position  vis-à-vis  direct  competitors  could  also  be  improved,  by  through  e.g.  cost-
efficient  electrification  of  industry.  This  concerns  for  instance  connection  of  data 
centres or gigafactories, for which grid connection is one of important considerations 
based on which they decide on their placemen 

Digitalisation 

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The  proposal  would  require  Member  States  to  further  digitalise  their  permitting 
procedures  via  the  integration  of  digital  tools,  create,  to  continuously  update 
platforms  with  relevant  data  and  to  upskill  their  staff  to  handle  the  new  digital 
elements. 

Administrative burden 

The  measures  under  the  proposal  require  implementation  by  national  and  local 
authorities, specifically regarding: equipping permitting authorities with all necessary 
staff,  skills  and  tools  to  handle  the  growing  number  of  permitting  requests,  the 
accelerated  permitting  timelines  and  simplification  of  permitting  procedures  for 
certain  projects  and  repowering,  the  creation  of  digital  platforms  and  tools  for  the 
permitting  process  and  for  the  design  of  benefit-sharing  schemes  for  public 
participation  in  renewable  energy  projects  and  new  procedures  as  single  points  of 
contacts  for  electricity  transmission  and  distribution  infrastructure  in  general  and 
storage  and  recharging  stations,  not  covered  by  the  revised  RED.  However,  this 
short-term  cost  effect  would  translate  into  savings  from  a  streamlined,  simpler  and 
quicker procedures over mid- and long-term. 

Social Impacts 

The  proposal  entails  additional  measures  strengthening  early  and  effective  public 
engagement  and  fostering  public  support  for  renewable  energy  projects.  The 
measures expressly include provisions aiming at increasing public participation and 
therefore social acceptance of renewables projects. By revising the current measures 
on public acceptance of renewable energy projects, the Commission will be able to 
assess  the  opportunity  to  introduce  measures  that  benefit  consumers  directly  or 
indirectly, e.g. benefit-sharing schemes and job creation. 

Environmental Impacts 

Ensuring  the  development  of  energy  infrastructures,  especially  electricity  grids,  is 
essential  to  increase  the  share  of  renewable  energy  generation  integrated  in  the 
energy mix, preventing environmental losses due to curtailment. RES integration will 
allow  to  curb  the  use  of  fossil  fuels  reducing  GHG  emissions  and  thus  addressing 
two major drivers of biodiversity loss: climate change and air pollution. The proposal 
includes  measures  that  aim  at  faster  permits  and  therefore  faster  and  widespread 
deployment, which relates to more space being used and therefore have an effect on 
the  environment,  but  they  are  designed  not  to  decrease  the  level  of  environmental 
protection.  

Relevant  impacts  on  the  natural  and  man-made  environment,  go  beyond  GHG  and 
non-CO2  emissions.  These  impacts  are  strongly  dependent  on  the  technology  used 
and  the  assets’  location  and  the  environmental  status  of  the  surrounding  fauna  and 
flora. These impacts are however addressed in the design of the proposed measures 
through introducing safeguards. 

1.3.4. 

Indicators of performance 

Specify the indicators for monitoring progress and achievements. 

The  success  of  the  proposal  can  be  measured  against  the  operational  objective  for 
Shorter  and  simpler  permitting  procedures  for  energy  infrastructure,  renewable 
energy  assets,  storage  projects,  and  recharging  stations”  and  set  of  the  following 

EN 

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indicators: 

-the average and maximum total duration of permitting procedures in years;  

-the  yearly  rate  and  average  delays  in  the  permitting  procedure  of  projects  of 
common and mutual interest (in years);  

-the  rate  of  digitalisation  of  permitting  procedures  -  in  percentage  and  number  of 
Member States deploying digital procedures, permitting management platforms and 
centralised archives for the relevant data (in a format that is easily accessible to the 
relevant stakeholders);  

-the  level  of  opposition  faced  by  projects  of  common  interest  (number  of  written 
objections during the public consultation, number of legal recourse actions). 

1.4. 

The proposal/initiative relates to:  

 a new action  
 a new action following a pilot project / preparatory action52  

 the extension of an existing action  

 a merger or redirection of one or more actions towards another/a new action 

1.5. 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for 

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative 

The  proposal  includes  measures  on  permitting  for  renewables  energy  projects, 
transmission  and  distribution  grids,  storage  projects  and  recharging  stations.  The 
Member States will have to adopt new measures or amend their legislation in order 
to transpose these rules. 

1.5.2.  Added  value  of  EU  involvement  (it  may  result  from  different  factors,  e.g. 
coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For 
the  purposes  of  this  section  'added  value  of  EU  involvement'  is  the  value  resulting 
from  EU  action,  that  is  additional  to  the  value  that  would  have  been  otherwise 
created by Member States alone. 

Reasons for action at EU level (ex-ante)  

Reaching  the EU energy objectives without additional action on the deployment of 
renewable energy at EU level would not be cost efficient. An EU approach is needed 
to provide the right incentives to Member States to accelerate, in a coordinated way, 
the energy transition towards a more energy-efficient energy system largely based on 
renewables.  The  revised  RED  already  includes  provisions  on  permitting  for 
renewables,  co-located  storage  and  related  grids.  EU  action  is  needed  to  further 
improve that regulatory framework in a coordinated way, bringing faster permitting 
procedures  for  renewables,  storage  and  recharging  stations,  ensuring  alignment 
among  Member  States  and  the  good  functioning  of  the  Energy  Union.  Taking  into 
account  the  different  energy  policies  among  Member  States,  action  at  EU  level, 
supported  by  the  robust  governance  framework,  is  more  likely  to  achieve  the  EU 

52 

As referred to in Article 58(2), point (a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation. 

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climate  target  and  required  increased  deployment  of  renewables  than  national  or 
local action alone. 

Expected generated  EU added value (ex-post)  

EU action on renewable energy under the revised RED, and for energy infrastructure 
under  the  Electricity  and  Gas  Market  Directives,  brings  added  value  because  it  is 
more  efficient  and  effective  than  individual  Member  States’  actions,  avoiding  a 
fragmented approach by addressing the transition of the European energy system in a 
coordinated way. It ensures net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, 
protects biodiversity, harnesses the benefits of the internal market, fully exploits the 
advantages  of  economies  of  scale  and  technological  cooperation  in  Europe,  and  it 
gives investors certainty in an EU-wide regulatory framework. By acting at EU-level 
in  combination  with  action  at  Member  State  level,  several  barriers  to  public  and 
private investments can be tackled supplementing and reinforcing national and local 
action. 

The  aim  of  the  proposal  could  not  be  achieved  to  the  same  extent  with  national 
measures,  and  at  the  same  time  it  preserves  the  prerogative  of  Member  States  to 
choose their energy mix, level of competence and set the details of their permitting 
frameworks. The proposal entails a more top-down approach but while maintaining 
and  strengthening  competences  at  national  level  and  is  therefore  considered 
following the subsidiarity principle. 

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past 

The  Implementation  Report  annexed  to  the  Impact  Assessment  analyses  lessons 
learned from the implementation of the permitting framework set at Union level with 
the  Council  Regulation  and  the  revised  Renewables  Energy  Directive.  The 
Implementation  Report  provides  evidence  of  the  need  for  further  improvements, 
namely when it comes to measures included in the Council Regulation that were not 
made permanent, to public participation, digitalisation and simplified environmental 
assessment procedures. 

1.5.4.  Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with 

other appropriate instruments 

This  Grids  Package  is  a  key  deliverable  under  the  Clean  Industrial  Deal  and  the 
Action  Plan  for  Affordable  Energy,  which  are  included  in  the  Commission  Work 
Program.    The  initiative  is  complementary  to  other  initiatives  that  aim  to  create  a 
more integrated European energy market and lower energy costs for households and 
industries.  Energy  infrastructure  is  also  crucial  to  achieve  the  proposed  2040  EU 
climate target, and to the EU’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. 

The  Commission  proposal  for  the  new  Multiannual  Financial  Framework  (MFF) 
2028-2034 highlights “the vital importance of a genuine Energy Union”. 

1.5.5.  Assessment  of  the  different  available  financing  options,  including  scope  for 

redeployment 

The Impact Assessment report accompanying this proposal analysed different policy 
options  to  achieve  the  initiative’s  general  and  specific  objectives.  The  preferred 
policy option which is pursued through this legislative proposal, was considered the 
most effective and cost-efficient approach 

EN 

6 

  EN 

1.6. 

Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact 

 limited duration  

–    in effect from [DD/MM]YYYY to [DD/MM]YYYY  

–    financial  impact  from  YYYY  to  YYYY  for  commitment  appropriations  and 

from YYYY to YYYY for payment appropriations.  

 unlimited duration 

–  Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY, 

–  followed by full-scale operation. 

1.7.  Method(s) of budget implementation planned53  

 Direct management by the Commission 

–   by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;  

–    by the executive agencies  

 Shared management with the Member States  

 Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to: 

–   third countries or the bodies they have designated 

–   international organisations and their agencies (to be specified) 

–   the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund 

–   bodies referred to in Articles 70 and 71 of the Financial Regulation 

–   public law bodies 

–   bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that 

they are provided with adequate financial guarantees 

–   bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with 
the  implementation  of  a  public-private  partnership  and  that  are  provided  with 
adequate financial guarantees 

–   bodies or persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the 
common  foreign  and  security  policy  pursuant  to  Title  V  of  the  Treaty  on 
European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act 

–  bodies  established  in  a  Member  State,  governed  by  the  private  law  of  a 
Member  State  or  Union  law  and  eligible  to  be  entrusted,  in  accordance  with 
sector-specific  rules,  with  the  implementation  of  Union  funds  or  budgetary 
guarantees,  to  the extent that such bodies are controlled by public law bodies or 
by bodies governed by private law with a public service mission, and are provided 
with adequate financial guarantees in the form of joint and several liability by the 
controlling bodies or equivalent financial guarantees and which may be, for each 
action, limited to the maximum amount of the Union support. 

53 

Details of budget implementation methods and references to the Financial Regulation may be found on 
the BUDGpedia site: https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/corp/budget/financial-rules/budget-
implementation/Pages/implementation-methods.aspx. 

EN 

7 

  EN 

 
 
Comments  

For  this  proposal,  the  only  budgetary  need  identified  is  in  connection  to  the  contract  for 
external support for the transposition checks of the Directive. Considering the usual timeline 
for  negotiations,  adoption  and  transposition  deadline,  such  a  contract  will  be  needed  after 
2028 and therefore the next MFF.  

EN 

8 

  EN 

 
2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

The  tasks  directly  implemented  by  DG  Energy  will  follow  the  annual  cycle  of 
planning  and  monitoring,  as  implemented  in  the  Commission  and  the  executive 
agencies, including reporting the results through the Annual Activity Report of DG 
ENER. 

2.2.  Management and control system(s)  

2.2.1. 

Justification  of  the  budget  implementation  method(s),  the  funding  implementation 
mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed 

Requirement 1: 

The use of external  service provider for the organisation  of the material  and a  first 
assessment  of  the  measures  has  been  an  usual  practice  considering  the  volume  of 
measures  and  the  use  of  national  languages  in  the  measures  communicated  by  the 
Member States. The assignment is done via a public procurement procedure. In this 
case,  the  procurement  will  be  implemented  under  direct  management,  in  full 
application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Financial  Regulation.  The  control  strategy  for 
procurements in DG Energy includes specific ex-ante legal, operational and financial 
controls  on  the  procurement  procedure  (review  by  the  advisory  committee  for 
procurement  and  contracts)  as  well  as  on  the  signature  of  contracts.  In  addition, 
expenditure  made  to  procure  goods  and  services  is  subject  to  ex  ante  and,  when 
necessary, ex-post and financial controls. 

2.2.2. 

Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up 
to mitigate them 

The  elements  directly  managed  by  DG  ENER  may  be  subject  to  the  usual  risks 
affecting  public  procurement  procedures.  These  risks  are  considered  low  level  as 
regards legality and regularity of the expenditure. Appropriate and effective controls 
are  in  place  at  corporate  and  DG  level.  Concerning  performance,  the  main  risk  are 
wrong estimates as regards the workload created by this proposal. This risk needs to 
be accepted, and it depends on the transposition work by the Member States as well 
as internal work organisation and prioritization. 

2.2.3.  Estimation  and  justification  of  the  cost-effectiveness  of  the  controls  (ratio  between 
the control costs  and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the 
expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure)  

The  tasks  assigned  for  DG  ENER  will  be  implemented  following  already  existing 
control system and the cost of control ratio is expected to remain stable (5 to 6% of 
the funds managed based on recent exercises). The expected risk of error at payment 
and  at  closure  is,  in  line  with  error  rates  estimate  for  procurement  procedures, 
expected to remain low and under the materiality threshold of 2%. 

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

DG  ENER  adopted  a  revised  Anti-fraud  Strategy  in  2020  and,  in  2023,  a  revised 
action  plan  covering  the  years  2023-2025.  DG  ENER  is  currently  revising  its  AFS 
for  the  years  2026-2028,  in  accordance  with  the  OLAF  methodology.  The  ENER 
AFS  are  based  on  the  Commission  Antifraud  Strategy  and  on  a  specific  risk 

EN 

9 

  EN 

assessment carried out  internally to  identify the  areas most vulnerable to fraud, the 
controls already in place and the actions necessary to improve DG ENER’s capacity 
to prevent, detect and correct fraud. 

EN 

10 

  EN 

 
3. 

3.1. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

Heading(s)  of  the  multiannual  financial  framework  and  expenditure  budget 
line(s) affected  

•  Existing budget lines  

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. 

Budget line 

Type of 
expenditure 

Contribution  

Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework 

Number  

Diff./Non-
diff.54 

from 
EFTA 
countries
55 

from 
candidate 
countries 
and 
potential 
candidates
56 

From 
other 
third 
countries 

other assigned 
revenue 

02.03.02  Connecting  Europe  Facility  – 
Energy 

Diff. 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

54 
55 
56 

Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non-diff. = Non-differentiated appropriations. 
EFTA: European Free Trade Association.  
Candidate countries and, where applicable, potential candidates from the Western Balkans. 

EN 

11 

  EN 

 
 
 
3.2. 

3.2.1. 

Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations  
Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations 57 

–    The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations  

–    The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below 

3.2.1.1.  Appropriations from voted budget 

Heading of multiannual financial framework  

Number 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

DG: ENER 

Operational appropriations  

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

2028 

2029 

2030 

2031 

2032 

2033 

2034 

TOTAL MFF 2028-2034 

Budget  line:  02.03.02  Connecting 
Europe Facility – Energy 

Commitments 

Payments 

(1b) 

(2b) 

0.350 

0.140  

0.140  

0.070  

Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope of specific programmes58 

Budget line 

(3) 

TOTAL appropriations 

Commitments 

=1a+1b+3 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

for DG ENER 

Payments 

=2a+2b+3 

0 

0.140 

0.140 

0.070 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.350 

0.350 

0 

0.350 

0.350 

Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

Year 

2033 

Year 

2034 

TOTAL 
MFF 2028-
2034 

57 
58 

The post-2027 amounts are indicative and do not prejudge the outcome of the ongoing negotiations on the next MFF. 
Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct research. 

EN 

12 

EN 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
TOTAL 
appropriations 

operational 

Commitments 

Payments 

an 
appropriations 
TOTAL 
administrative  nature  financed  from  the 
envelope for specific programmes  

of 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

TOTAL 
appropriations 
under HEADING 
<2.> 
of the multiannual 
financial framework 

Commitments 

=4+6 

0.350 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0.140 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.140 

0.070 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.350 

0.350 

0 

0.350 

Payments 

=5+6 

0 

0.140 

0.140 

0.070 

0 

0 

0.350 

(all 

TOTAL 

Commitments 

• 
operational 
appropriations 
operational 
headings) 
•  TOTAL  appropriations  of  an 
administrative  nature  financed  from 
the  envelope  for  specific  programmes 
(all operational headings) 

Payments 

Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

Year 

2033 

Year 

2034 

TOTAL 
MFF 
2028-2034 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.140 

0.140 

0.070 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.350 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

TOTAL 
appropriations 
Under          

Heading 1 to 3 

Commitments 

=4+6 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

of the multiannual 
financial framework 

Payments 

=5+6 

0 

0.140 

0.140 

0.070 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0.350 

0.350 

EN 

13 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
(Reference amount) 

Heading of multiannual financial  framework  

4 

‘Administrative expenditure’59 

DG: <…….> 

 Human resources  
 Other administrative expenditure  

TOTAL DG 
<…….> 

Appropriations  

DG: <…….> 

 Human resources  
 Other administrative expenditure  

TOTAL DG 
<…….> 

Appropriations  

Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

Year 

2033 

Year 

2034 

TOTAL 
MFF 
2028-2034 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

2028 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

2029 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

2030 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

2033 

Year 

2032 

Year 

2031 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

TOTAL 
MFF 
2028-2034 

0 

0 

0 

Year 

2034 

TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 4 of 
the multiannual financial framework  

(Total 
commitments = 
Total payments) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

59 

The necessary appropriations should be determined using the annual average cost figures available on the appropriate BUDGpedia webpage. 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

EN 

14 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

TOTAL 
appropriations under 
HEADINGS 1 to 4 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  

Commitments 

0.350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Payments 

0 

0.140 

0.140 

0.070 

Year 

2033 

0 

0 

Year 

2034 

0 

0 

TOTAL 
MFF 2028-
2034 

0.350 

0.350 

3.2.2.  Estimated output funded from operational appropriations (not to be completed for decentralised agencies) 

Year  
2028 

Year  
2029 

Year  
2030 

Year  
2031 

OUTPUTS 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Enter as many years as necessary to show the 
duration of the impact (see Section1.6) 

TOTAL 

o
N

Cost 

o
N

Cost 

o
N

Cost 

o
N

Cost 

o
N

Cost  N

o

Cost 

o
N

Cost 

Total 
No 

Total 
cost 

Indicate 
objectives and 
outputs  

 

Type60 

Avera
ge 
cost 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 161… 

- Output 

- Output 

- Output 

Subtotal for specific objective No 1 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 2 ... 

- Output 

60 
61 

Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g. number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 
As described in Section 1.3.2. ‘Specific objective(s)’  

EN 

15 

EN 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subtotal for specific objective No 2 

TOTALS 

EN 

16 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2.3. 

Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations  

–    The  proposal/initiative  does  not  require  the  use  of  appropriations  of  an 

administrative nature  

–    The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative 

nature, as explained below 

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget 

VOTED APPROPRIATIONS 

Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

HEADING 4 

Human resources  

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Other administrative expenditure  

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Subtotal HEADING 4 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Outside HEADING 4 

Year 

2033 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Year 

2034 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Human resources  

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Other expenditure of an administrative 
nature 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Subtotal outside HEADING 4 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

TOTAL 
2028 - 
2034 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

TOTAL 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

The  appropriations  required  for  human  resources  and  other  expenditure  of  an  administrative  nature 
will  be  met  by  appropriations  from  the  DG  that  are  already  assigned  to  management  of  the  action 
and/or  have  been  redeployed  within  the  DG,  together,  if  necessary,  with  any  additional  allocation 
which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of 
budgetary constraints. 

3.2.4.  Estimated requirements of human resources  

–   The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources  

–    The  proposal/initiative  requires  the  use  of  human  resources,  as  explained 

below 

3.2.4.1.  Financed from voted budget 

Estimate to be expressed in full-time equivalent units (FTEs)62 

VOTED APPROPRIATIONS 

Year 

2028 

Year 

2029 

Year 

2030 

Year 

2031 

Year 

2032 

Year 

2033 

Year 

2034 

 Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff) 

20 01 02 01 (Headquarters and 

Commission’s Representation 
Offices) 

20 01 02 03 (EU Delegations) 

 (Indirect research) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

62 

Please specify below the table how many FTEs within the number indicated are already assigned to the 
management of the action and/or can be redeployed within your DG and what are your net needs. 

EN 

17 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 (Direct research) 

Other budget lines (specify) 

20 02 01 (AC, END from the 

‘global envelope’) 

20 02 03 (AC, AL, END and JPD 

in the EU Delegations) 

Admin. Support 
line 

- at 

Headquarters 

[XX.01.YY.YY] 

- in EU 
Delegations  

 (AC, END - Indirect research) 

 (AC, END - Direct research) 

Other budget lines (specify) - 

Heading 4 

Other budget lines (specify) - 

Outside Heading 4 

TOTAL 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

• External staff (inFTEs) 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

The staff required to implement the proposal (in FTEs):  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

To be covered by 
current staff 
available in the 
Commission 
services  

Exceptional additional staff* 

To be financed 
under Heading 4 
or Research 

To be financed 
from BA line 

To be financed 
from fees 

N/A 

Establishment 
plan posts 

External 
staff 
(CA, SNEs, INT) 

Description of tasks to be carried out by: 

Officials and temporary staff 

External staff 

3.2.5.  Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments 

Compulsory: the best estimate of the digital technology-related investments entailed 
by the proposal/initiative should be included in the table below.  

Exceptionally,  when  required  for  the  implementation  of  the  proposal/initiative,  the 
appropriations under Heading 4 should be presented in the designated line.  

The appropriations under Headings 1-3 should be reflected as “Policy IT expenditure 
on operational programmes”. This expenditure refers to the operational budget to be 

EN 

18 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
used to re-use/ buy/ develop IT platforms/ tools directly linked to the implementation 
of the initiative and their associated investments (e.g. licences, studies, data storage 
etc).  The  information  provided  in  this  table  should  be  consistent  with  details 
presented under Section 4 “Digital dimensions”. 

TOTAL Digital 
and IT 
appropriations 

HEADING 4 

IT expenditure 
(corporate)  

Subtotal 
HEADING 4 

Outside HEADING 4 

Policy IT 
expenditure on 
operational 
programmes 

Subtotal outside 
HEADING 4 

TOTAL 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

2028 

2029 

2030 

2031 

2032 

2033 

2034 

TOTAL 
MFF 
2028 - 
2034 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3.2.6.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  

The proposal/initiative: 

–    can be fully financed through redeployment within the relevant heading of the 

multiannual financial framework (MFF) 

–    requires use of the unallocated margin under the relevant heading of the MFF 

and/or use of the special instruments as defined in the MFF Regulation 

–    requires a revision of the MFF 

3.2.7.  Third-party contributions  

The proposal/initiative: 

–    does not provide for co-financing by third parties 

–    provides for the co-financing by third parties estimated below: 

Appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Year  

2028 

Year  

2029 

Year  

2030 

Year  

2031 

Year  

2032 

Year  

2033 

Year  

2034 

Total 

Specify  the  co-
financing body  

EN 

19 

  EN 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
TOTAL 
appropriations 
co-financed  

3.3. 

Estimated impact on revenue  

–    The proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue. 

–    The proposal/initiative has the following financial impact: 

–   on own resources  

–   on other revenue 

–   please indicate, if the revenue is assigned to expenditure lines 

Appropriations 
available for 
the current 
financial year 

Budget revenue line: 

Article …………. 

     EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Impact of the proposal/initiative63 

Year 
2028 

Year 
2029 

Year 
2030 

Year 
2031 

Year 
2032 

Year 
2033 

Year 
2034 

For assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected. 

Other  remarks  (e.g.  method/formula  used  for  calculating  the  impact  on  revenue  or 
any other information). 

4. 

DIGITAL DIMENSIONS 

4.1. 

Requirements of digital relevance 

Requirement  1  (R1):  Requirement  1  relates  to  the  measure  requesting  the  permitting 
application  procedure  for  renewables,  energy  infrastructure  and  storage  projects  to  be 
digitalised and centralised. Member States’ competent authority or authorities must be able 
to  receive  permitting  applications  and  all  relevant  documents  in  digital  format.  Under  the 
proposal, Member States are required to set up a single digital portal at national level for all 
the steps of the permit-granting procedures for renewable energy, storage and grid projects 
so  that  it  contributes  to  more  uniform  digitalization,  interoperability  and  transparency 
across different permitting authorities in Member States and ultimately speed up permitting. 
This will be included in  article 16 of RED, article 8 of the EMD and article 3 of the Gas 
Market Directive. This will be on top of the obligation on MS that all decisions are to be 
issued in  an easily accessible format. The relevant  authorities should ensure access  to  the 
relevant  environmental  and  geological  data  and  decisions  available  in  the  central  online 
portal referred to in Article 10(3) of Regulation [xxxxx] of the European Parliament and of 
the Council 

63 

As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net 
amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 20% for collection costs. 

EN 

20 

  EN 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Requirement  2(R2):  Requirement  3  relates  to  the  monitor  and  assessment  of  the 
transposition and implementation of the amending Directive by the Commission  services. 
The  communication  of  measures  and  relevant  documents  between  the  MS  and  the 
Commission is done via the portal THEMIS or emails. No further actions will be needed by 
the  Commission  Services  to  meet  this  requirement.  Moreover,  for  assisting  in  the 
transposition  and  implementation  of  the  amending  directive,  the  existing  online  tool  that 
has been created for the Directive (EU) 2023/2413 will be updated. 

4.2. 

Data 

For  Requirement  1,  all  data  necessary  for  a  complete  permit  or  permits  for  renewables, 
energy  infrastructure  and  storage  projects  are  included.  These  are  personal  data  with 
connection  to  the  applicant  whether  a  natural  or  legal  person,  the  characteristics  of  the 
projects  and  all  necessary  supporting  documents.  Based  on  the  centralisation  of  the 
procedure, the Commission has put also an obligation that the portal will allow to extract 
statistical  data  on  the  permitting  procedures,  especially  with  regards  average  timelines, 
delays etc. A general obligation to respect data protection rules in case they are applicable 
has been introduced.  

For  Requirement  2,  the  data  shared  for  the  transposition  of  the  directive  is  mostly 
legislation which is public and letters to and from the Commission, which are confidential. 

4.3. 

Digital solutions 

For  Requirement  1:  The  digitalisation  and  centralisation  of  permitting  procedures  for 
renewables,  energy  infrastructure  and  storage  projects  will  be  facilitated  by  the  digital 
solution of a digital platform or portal which Member States would be required to set up. 
Through  this,  the  MS  would  manage  permitting  processes  (ongoing  permitting  decisions 
and  decisions  issued).  By  centralising  this  data  we  expect  to  simplify  procedures  and 
prevent  the  duplication  of  the  same  data  in  different  platforms.  In  the  recitals,  the 
Commission urges that the portal should present  features, including by means of artificial 
intelligence, allowing the single contact point, other authorities and applicants to check the 
status  of  the  application  and  where  delays  are,  as  well  as  check  compliance  with  the 
permitting deadlines. In addition, it should allow for the extraction of statistics to check the 
overall  progress  of  permitting-granting  procedures  in  Member  States.  The  portal  should 
facilitate the duties of the single contact point who should have access to all relevant data 
and  information.  Lastly,  the  access  to  central  online  portal  referred  to  in  Article  10(3)  of 
Regulation  [xxxxx]  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council,  which  will  streamline 
the  data  collection  and  environmental  assessment  procedures  applicable  to  renewable 
energy,  electricity  transmission  and  distribution  infrastructure  projects,  energy  storage 
projects and recharging station, will increase certainty for both developers and authorities.  

For  Requirement  2:  The  digital  tools  are  already  in  place  and  no  further  actions  are 
needed.  

4.4. 

Interoperability assessment 

Requirement  1  does  not  require  interaction  across  Member  State  borders,  among  EU 
entities or between EU entities and public sector bodies. It also does not have an effect on 

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cross-border inter-operability as the data is of relevance for national, rather than EU-level 
decision-making  procedures.  Nevertheless,  cooperation  on  cross  border  projects  may  be 
expected,  therefore  the  MS  are  invited  to  consider  the  use  of  a  data  format  that  will  be 
interoperable,  easily  to  access  and  share.  However,  a  centrally  defined  data  structure  has 
been  considered  and  discarded,  since  due  to  the  mostly  national  character  of  the  biggest 
percentage of the permitting procedures in each MS and the different permitting systems, it 
is logical that the actual decision on format for the implementation is left to MS, which can 
decide what fits best to their system and the new digital platform they will set up. 

•  The  public  services  affected  by  these  suggestions  would  be  all  authorities  in  each 

MS involved in the permitting of energy assets, e.g.: 

•  Energy ministry and/or agencies  

•  Municipal/Local administration  

•  Environmental authorities  

•  Administrative  bodies  or  entities  responsible  for  opinion  or  approval  on  projects 

affecting spatial planning and cultural heritage sites  

The THEMIS platform  used  for  Requirement  2  is  already interoperable since it requires 
interaction  between  EU  entities  and  public  sector  bodies,  by  means  of  their  network  and 
information systems 

4.5.  Measures to support digital implementation 

For  requirement  1,  the  Commission  is  exploring  different  existing  digital  and  AI 
permitting  solutions  that  can  be  tailored  and  customized  to  the  national  and  regional 
contexts  with  the  aim  to  support  Member  States  sharing  best  practices  in  upcoming 
permitting  expert  groups  and  other  fora.  Moreover,  support  in  the  form  of  technical 
assistance  and  capacity  building  is  foreseen  to  support  digital  implementation,  including 
potentially through the Technical Support Instrument, the Recover and Resilience Facility, 
and the use of regional funds. 

For requirement 2, no such measures are needed. 

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