Green Power Sweden has welcomed government proposals to implement the Renewable Energy Directive’s permit rules but warned some changes could extend processes rather than shorten them.
The organisation said adjustments and coordination with other reforms are needed for the rules to have full effect.
Industry lawyer Ina Müller Engelbrektson said: “Several of the government’s proposals for implementation can provide more efficient permit processes and increase the chance of obtaining a permit.
“However, we do not see that the proposals as a whole contribute sufficiently to the directive’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy, and therefore propose some changes in our consultation response.”
Green Power Sweden said deadlines must apply to the correct parts of the procedure to be effective and should be aligned with the Environmental Permit Inquiry.
The group also highlighted that Sweden’s current proposals fail to meet the directive’s requirement for a single contact point for operators.
It added that a faster review process depends not only on regulatory changes but also increased resourcing.
The organisation said repowering projects should be included under faster procedures, as replacing older plants with more efficient ones is one of the quickest ways to raise output.
It added that recognising renewable electricity generation as an overriding public interest, and clarifying provisions around species protection, could make a significant difference to the industry if properly implemented.