European Union to cut permitting times for solar and renewable energy assets
The EU will introduce shorter permitting times for solar and renewable energy assets in the most recent addition to its REPowerEU scheme, agreed on by the European Council this week.
Solar projects in particular have been singled out to have a permit-granting period of no more than three months, a move that builds on the EU’s recently announced emergency regulation to reduce permitting for solar mounted on artificial structures, as well as associated storage systems and grid connections, to a maximum of one month.
The new announcement introduces renewable “go-to areas”, which the European Council describes as “land, sea or inland waters… chosen because they are particularly suitable areas for specific renewable energy technologies and present lower risks for the environment”.
EU member states will be required to map out and designate the “go-to areas” within 30 months of the new directive coming into force, and will adopt measures to mitigate any adverse environmental effects brought about by introducing renewable energy assets to the designated zones.
[Will Norman]
More: REPowerEU directive slashes solar permitting times, establishes renewables 'go-to areas'
