The European Commission has referred Sweden to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose new EU rules designed to accelerate permitting procedures for renewable energy projects.
The EC said the decision follows repeated warnings from the Commission after Sweden missed the 1 July 2024 deadline to incorporate the provisions of Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national law.
The Directive amends existing renewable energy legislation to simplify and shorten permitting processes across the EU.
According to the Commission, Sweden has not notified any transposition measures more than a year after the deadline expired, despite receiving a letter of formal notice in September 2024 and a reasoned opinion in February 2025.
Under Article 260(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the Commission can request the Court to impose financial penalties when Member States fail to notify such measures.
The new rules are intended to make renewable energy projects and related grid infrastructure subject to faster approval timelines and to designate them as being of overriding public interest.
The Commission said the reforms are essential to accelerate Europe’s transition to carbon neutrality, strengthen energy security and reduce energy costs.
Infringement procedures have been opened against all 27 EU Member States for failing to notify full transposition of the Directive, although Sweden is the first to be referred to the Court over the issue.