EU energy ministers have agreed their position on changes to new regulatory amendments to pave the way for faster buildout of renewables.
The agreement reached over the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and Energy Efficiency Directive, also paves the way for streamlined permitting for wind farms, stated WindEurope.
It has been agreed that the RED should now include additional measures as proposed in the REPowerEU Action Plan to increase the EU’s energy security.
EU energy ministers will now finalise the changes in negotiations with the European Parliament in autumn.
EU Energy Ministers included key elements of the REPowerEU Action Plan, the EU’s energy response to the war in Ukraine, in their amendments to the RED.
In light of the ongoing war the ministers stressed the need to accelerate the deployment of home-grown renewables in order to strengthen EU’s energy security, stated WindEurope.
They agreed the expansion of renewables and the linked expansion of on- and offshore grid infrastructure in Europe should be considered a matter of “overarching public interest” and “public safety”.
To deliver the necessary build-out of renewables the EU Energy Ministers agreed on clear deadlines for the permitting of new projects and facilitated permitting of repowering projects.
For repowering only the environmental impacts that are additional to the already existing turbines will be subject to environmental impact assessments.
To ensure that wind energy development goes hand in hand with biodiversity protection the European Council now encourages a population-based approach to biodiversity that will help maintain and improve the health of endangered bird populations.
Member States are now ready to start discussions with the European Parliament on the revised RED.
The next step is for the European Parliament to vote its position on the Directive in its Industry and Energy Committee this 13 July ahead of final negotiations to start in autumn.