What changed, RED II — Directive (EU) 2018/2001

− (1) ‘energy from renewable sources’ or ‘renewable energy’ means energy from renewable non-fossil sources, namely wind, solar (solar thermal and solar photovoltaic) and geothermal energy, ambient energy, tide, wave and other ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas,…
− (4) ‘gross final consumption of energy’ means the energy commodities delivered for energy purposes to industry, transport, households, services including public services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the consumption of electricity and heat by the energy branch for electricity, heat and trans…
− (36) ‘renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin’ means liquid or gaseous fuels which are used in the transport sector other than biofuels or biogas, the energy content of which is derived from renewable sources other than biomass;
− **1.** Member States shall collectively ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union's gross final consumption of energy in 2030 is at least 32 %. The Commission shall assess that target with a view to submitting a legislative proposal by 2023 to increase it where there are fu…
− **3.** Member States shall ensure that their national policies, including the obligations deriving from Articles 25 to 28 of this Directive, and their support schemes, are designed with due regard to the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of Directive 2008/98/EC to aim to avoid undue distortive…
− With regard to point (a), (b), or (c) of the first subparagraph, gas, electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources shall be considered only once for the purposes of calculating the share of gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources.
− **2.** For the purposes of point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, gross final consumption of electricity from renewable sources shall be calculated as the quantity of electricity produced in a Member State from renewable sources, including the production of electricity from renewables s…
− (a) Final consumption of energy from renewable sources in the transport sector shall be calculated as the sum of all biofuels, biomass fuels and renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin consumed in the transport sector. However, renewable liquid and gaseous transport fue…
− **1.** Member States shall ensure that any national rules concerning the authorisation, certification and licensing procedures that are applied to plants and associated transmission and distribution networks for the production of electricity, heating or cooling from renewable sources, to the process…
− **2.** Member States shall clearly define any technical specifications which are to be met by renewable energy equipment and systems in order to benefit from support schemes. Where European standards exist, including eco-labels, energy labels and other technical reference systems established by the …
− **3.** Member States shall ensure that their competent authorities at national, regional and local level include provisions for the integration and deployment of renewable energy, including for renewables self-consumption and renewable energy communities, and the use of unavoidable waste heat and co…
− **8.** Member States shall assess the regulatory and administrative barriers to long-term renewables power purchase agreements, and shall remove unjustified barriers to, and facilitate the uptake of, such agreements. Member States shall ensure that those agreements are not subject to disproportionat…
− Member States shall describe policies and measures facilitating the uptake of renewables power purchase agreements in their integrated national energy and climate plans and progress reports pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
− ### Article 16 — Organisation and duration of the permit-granting process
− **1.** Member States shall set up or designate one or more contact points. Those contact points shall, upon request by the applicant, guide through and facilitate the entire administrative permit application and granting process. The applicant shall not be required to contact more than one contact p…
− **2.** The contact point shall guide the applicant through the administrative permit application process in a transparent manner up to the delivery of one or several decisions by the responsible authorities at the end of the process, provide the applicant with all necessary information and involve, …
− **3.** The contact point shall make available a manual of procedures for developers of renewable energy production projects and shall provide that information also online, addressing distinctly also small-scale projects and renewables self-consumers projects. The online information shall indicate th…
− **4.** Without prejudice to paragraph 7, the permit-granting process referred to in paragraph 1 shall not exceed two years for power plants, including all relevant procedures of competent authorities. Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, that two-year period may be ext…
− **5.** Without prejudice to paragraph 7, the permit-granting process shall not exceed one year for installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW. Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, that one-year period may be extended by up to one year.
− Member States shall ensure that applicants have easy access to simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to build and operate renewable energy plants, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
− **6.** Member States shall facilitate the repowering of existing renewable energy plants by ensuring a simplified and swift permit-granting process. The length of that process shall not exceed one year.
− Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, such as on grounds of overriding safety reasons where the repowering project impacts substantially on the grid or the original capacity, size or performance of the installation, that one-year period may be extended by up to one year…
− **7.** The deadlines established in this Article shall apply without prejudice to obligations under applicable Union environmental law, to judicial appeals, remedies and other proceedings before a court or tribunal, and to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including complaints procedures, n…
− **8.** Member States may establish a simple-notification procedure for grid connections for repowering projects as referred to in Article 17(1). Where Member States do so, repowering shall be permitted following notification to the relevant authority where no significant negative environmental or so…
− Where the relevant authority decides that a notification is sufficient, it shall automatically grant the permit. Where that authority decides that the notification is not sufficient, it shall be necessary to apply for a new permit and the time-limits referred to in paragraph 6 shall apply.
− **3.** Member States shall ensure that certification schemes or equivalent qualification schemes are available for installers of small-scale biomass boilers and stoves, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps. Those schemes may take into account existi…
− **4.** Member States shall make information on certification schemes or equivalent qualification schemes as referred to in paragraph 3 available to the public. Member States may also make the list of installers who are qualified or certified in accordance with paragraph 3 available to the public.
− **2.** To that end, Member States shall ensure that a guarantee of origin is issued in response to a request from a producer of energy from renewable sources, unless Member States decide, for the purposes of accounting for the market value of the guarantee of origin, not to issue such a guarantee of…
− (c) where the guarantees of origin are not issued directly to the producer but to a supplier or consumer who buys the energy from renewable sources either in a competitive setting or in a long-term renewables power purchase agreement.
− **3.** For the purposes of paragraph 1, guarantees of origin shall be valid for 12 months after the production of the relevant energy unit. Member States shall ensure that all guarantees of origin that have not been cancelled expire at the latest 18 months after the production of the energy unit. Me…
− **4.** For the purposes of disclosure referred to in paragraphs 8 and 13, Member States shall ensure that energy companies cancel guarantees of origin at the latest six months after the end of the validity of the guarantee of origin.
− (a) the energy source from which the energy was produced and the start and end dates of production;
− **13.** The Commission shall adopt a report assessing options to establish a Union-wide green label with a view to promoting the use of renewable energy coming from new installations. Suppliers shall use the information contained in guarantees of origin to demonstrate compliance with the requirement…
− **3.** Subject to their assessment included in the integrated national energy and climate plans in accordance with Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the necessity to build new infrastructure for district heating and cooling from renewable sources in order to achieve the Union target set in Art…
− **1.** In order to promote the use of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector, each Member State shall endeavour to increase the share of renewable energy in that sector by an indicative 1,3 percentage points as an annual average calculated for the periods 2021 to 2025 and 2026 to 2030, s…
− **2.** For the purposes of paragraph 1, when calculating its share of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector and its average annual increase in accordance with that paragraph, each Member State:
− **4.** Member States may implement the average annual increase referred to in paragraph 1 by means, *inter alia*, of one or more of the following options:
− (a) physical incorporation of renewable energy or waste heat and cold in the energy and energy fuel supplied for heating and cooling;
− (b) direct mitigation measures such as the installation of highly efficient renewable heating and cooling systems in buildings, or the use of renewable energy or waste heat and cold in industrial heating and cooling processes;
− (c) indirect mitigation measures covered by tradable certificates proving compliance with the obligation laid down in paragraph 1 through support to indirect mitigation measures, carried out by another economic operator such as an independent renewable technology installer or energy service company …
− (d) other policy measures, with an equivalent effect, to reach the average annual increase referred to in paragraph 1, including fiscal measures or other financial incentives.
− When adopting and implementing the measures referred to in the first subparagraph, Member States shall aim to ensure the accessibility of measures to all consumers, in particular those in low-income or vulnerable households, who would not otherwise possess sufficient up-front capital to benefit.
− **1.** Member States shall ensure that information on the energy performance and the share of renewable energy in their district heating and cooling systems is provided to final consumers in an easily accessible manner, such as on the suppliers' websites, on annual bills or upon request.
− **4.** Member States shall lay down the necessary measures to ensure that district heating and cooling systems contribute to the increase referred to in Article 23(1) of this Directive by implementing at least one of the two following options:
− (a) Endeavour to increase the share of energy from renewable sources and from waste heat and cold in district heating and cooling by at least one percentage point as an annual average calculated for the period 2021 to 2025 and for the period 2026 to 2030, starting from the share of energy from renew…
− (b) Ensure that operators of district heating or cooling systems are obliged to connect suppliers of energy from renewable sources and from waste heat and cold or are obliged to offer to connect and purchase heat or cold from renewable sources and from waste heat and cold from third-party suppliers …
− **5.** Where a Member State exercises the option referred to in point (b) of paragraph 4, an operator of a district heating or cooling system may refuse to connect and to purchase heat or cold from a third-party supplier where:
− (a) the system lacks the necessary capacity due to other supplies of waste heat and cold, of heat or cold from renewable sources or of heat or cold produced by high-efficiency cogeneration;
− (b) the heat or cold from the third-party supplier does not meet the technical parameters necessary to connect and ensure the reliable and safe operation of the district heating and cooling system; or
− (c) the operator can demonstrate that providing access would lead to an excessive heat or cold cost increase for final customers compared to the cost of using the main local heat or cold supply with which the renewable source or waste heat and cold would compete.
− Member States shall ensure that, when an operator of a district heating or cooling system refuses to connect a supplier of heating or cooling pursuant to the first subparagraph, information on the reasons for the refusal, as well as the conditions to be met and measures to be taken in the system in …
− **6.** Where a Member State exercises the option referred to in point (b) of paragraph 4, it may exempt operators of the following district heating and cooling systems from the application of that point:
− (a) efficient district heating and cooling;
− (b) efficient district heating and cooling that exploits high-efficiency cogeneration;
− (c) district heating and cooling that, on the basis of a plan approved by the competent authority, is efficient district heating and cooling by 31 December 2025;
− (d) district heating and cooling with a total rated thermal input below 20 MW.
− **8.** Member States shall require electricity distribution system operators to assess at least every four years, in cooperation with the operators of district heating or cooling systems in their respective area, the potential for district heating or cooling systems to provide balancing and other sy…
− **9.** Member States shall ensure that the rights of consumers and the rules for operating district heating and cooling systems in accordance with this Article are clearly defined and enforced by the competent authority.
− **10.** A Member State shall not be required to apply paragraphs 2 to 9 of this Article where:
− (a) its share of district heating and cooling is less than or equal to 2 % of the overall consumption of energy in heating and cooling on 24 December 2018;
− (b) its share of district heating and cooling is increased above 2 % by developing new efficient district heating and cooling based on its integrated national energy and climate plan pursuant to Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 or the assessment referred to in Article 15(7) of this Directive; or
− (c) its share of systems referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article constitutes over 90 % of total sales of its district heating and cooling.
− ### Article 25 — Mainstreaming renewable energy in the transport sector
− **1.** In order to mainstream the use of renewable energy in the transport sector, each Member State shall set an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that the share of renewable energy within the final consumption of energy in the transport sector is at least 14 % by 2030 (minimum share) in accor…
− Member States may exempt, or distinguish between, different fuel suppliers and different energy carriers when setting the obligation on the fuel suppliers, ensuring that the varying degrees of maturity and the cost of different technologies are taken into account.
− For the calculation of the minimum share referred to in the first subparagraph, Member States:
− (a) shall take into account renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin also when they are used as intermediate products for the production of conventional fuels; and
− (b) may take into account recycled carbon fuels.
− Within the minimum share referred to in the first subparagraph, the contribution of advanced biofuels and biogas produced from the feedstock listed in Part A of Annex IX as a share of final consumption of energy in the transport sector shall be at least 0,2 % in 2022, at least 1 % in 2025 and at lea…
− Member States may exempt fuel suppliers supplying fuel in the form of electricity or renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin from the requirement to comply with the minimum share of advanced biofuels and biogas produced from the feedstock listed in Part A of Annex IX wi…
− When setting the obligation referred to in the first and fourth subparagraphs to ensure the achievement of the share set out therein, Member States may do so, *inter alia*, by means of measures targeting volumes, energy content or greenhouse gas emissions, provided that it is demonstrated that the m…
− **2.** The greenhouse gas emissions savings from the use of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin shall be at least 70 % from 1 January 2021.
− By 1 January 2021, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 35 to supplement this Directive by establishing appropriate minimum thresholds for greenhouse gas emissions savings of recycled carbon fuels through a life-cycle assessment that takes into account the specificit…
− **1.** For the calculation of a Member State's gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources referred to in Article 7 and the minimum share referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 25(1), the share of biofuels and bioliquids, as well as of biomass fuels consumed in transport, wher…
− Where the share of biofuels and bioliquids, as well as of biomass fuels consumed in transport, produced from food and feed crops in a Member State is limited to a share lower than 7 % or a Member State decides to limit the share further, that Member State may reduce the minimum share referred to in …
− **2.** For the calculation of a Member State's gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources referred to in Article 7 and the minimum share referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 25(1), the share of high indirect land-use change-risk biofuels, bioliquids or biomass fuels produce…
− By 1 September 2023, the Commission shall review the criteria laid down in the delegated act referred to in the fourth subparagraph based on the best available scientific data and shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 35 to amend such criteria, where appropriate, and to include a tra…
− ### Article 27 — Calculation rules with regard to the minimum shares of renewable energy in the transport sector
− **1.** For the calculation of the minimum shares referred to in the first and fourth subparagraphs of Article 25(1), the following provisions shall apply:
− (a) for the calculation of the denominator, that is the energy content of road- and rail- transport fuels supplied for consumption or use on the market, petrol, diesel, natural gas, biofuels, biogas, renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, recycled carbon fuels and ele…
− (b) for the calculation of the numerator, that is the amount of energy from renewable sources consumed in the transport sector for the purposes of the first subparagraph of Article 25(1), the energy content of all types of energy from renewable sources supplied to all transport sectors, including re…
− (c) for the calculation of both numerator and denominator, the values regarding the energy content of transport fuels set out in Annex III shall be used. For the determination of the energy content of transport fuels not included in Annex III, the Member States shall use the relevant ESO standards f…
− **2.** For the purposes of demonstrating compliance with the minimum shares referred to in Article 25(1):
− (a) the share of biofuels and biogas for transport produced from the feedstock listed in Annex IX may be considered to be twice its energy content;
− (b) the share of renewable electricity shall be considered to be four times its energy content when supplied to road vehicles and may be considered to be 1,5 times its energy content when supplied to rail transport;
− (c) with the exception of fuels produced from food and feed crops, the share of fuels supplied in the aviation and maritime sectors shall be considered to be 1,2 times their energy content.
− **3.** For the calculation of the share of renewable electricity in the electricity supplied to road and rail vehicles for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article, Member States shall refer to the two-year period before the year in which the electricity is supplied in their territory.
− By way of derogation from the first subparagraph of this paragraph, to determine the share of electricity for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article, in the case of electricity obtained from a direct connection to an installation generating renewable electricity and supplied to road vehicles, t…
− In order to ensure that the expected increase in demand for electricity in the transport sector beyond the current baseline is met with additional renewable energy generation capacity, the Commission shall develop a framework on additionality in the transport sector and shall develop different optio…
− For the purposes of this paragraph, where electricity is used for the production of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, either directly or for the production of intermediate products, the average share of electricity from renewable sources in the country of product…
− However, electricity obtained from direct connection to an installation generating renewable electricity may be fully counted as renewable electricity where it is used for the production of renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, provided that the installation:
− (a) comes into operation after, or at the same time as, the installation producing the renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin; and
− (b) is not connected to the grid or is connected to the grid but evidence can be provided that the electricity concerned has been supplied without taking electricity from the grid.
− Electricity that has been taken from the grid may be counted as fully renewable provided that it is produced exclusively from renewable sources and the renewable properties and other appropriate criteria have been demonstrated, ensuring that the renewable properties of that electricity are claimed o…
− By 31 December 2021, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 35 to supplement this Directive by establishing a Union methodology setting out detailed rules by which economic operators are to comply with the requirements laid down in the fifth and sixth subparagraphs of …
− **5.** By 31 December 2021, the Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 35 to supplement this Directive by specifying the methodology to determine the share of biofuel, and biogas for transport, resulting from biomass being processed with fossil fuels in a common process, an…
− **7.** By 31 December 2025, in the context of the biennial assessment of progress made pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission shall assess whether the obligation relating to advanced biofuels and biogas produced from feedstock listed in Part A of Annex IX laid down in the fourth subpa…
− The Commission shall, if appropriate, submit a proposal to amend the obligation relating to advanced biofuels and biogas produced from feedstock listed in Part A of Annex IX laid down in the fourth subparagraph of Article 25(1).
− (a) contributing towards the Union target set in Article 3(1) and the renewable energy shares of Member States;
− However, biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from waste and residues, other than agricultural, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry residues, are required to fulfil only the greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria laid down in paragraph 10 in order to be taken into account for the purpos…
− Biomass fuels shall fulfil the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria laid down in paragraphs 2 to 7 and 10 if used in installations producing electricity, heating and cooling or fuels with a total rated thermal input equal to or exceeding 20 MW in the case of solid biomass fuel…
− **3.** Biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from agricultural biomass taken into account for the purposes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall not be made from raw material obtained from land with a high biodiversity value, namely land that…
− (a) primary forest and other wooded land, namely forest and other wooded land of native species, where there is no clearly visible indication of human activity and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed;
− (b) highly biodiverse forest and other wooded land which is species-rich and not degraded, or has been identified as being highly biodiverse by the relevant competent authority, unless evidence is provided that the production of that raw material did not interfere with those nature protection purpos…
− (c) areas designated: (i) by law or by the relevant competent authority for nature protection purposes; or (ii) for the protection of rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems or species recognised by international agreements or included in lists drawn up by intergovernmental organisations or the In…
− (d) highly biodiverse grassland spanning more than one hectare that is: (i) natural, namely grassland that would remain grassland in the absence of human intervention and that maintains the natural species composition and ecological characteristics and processes; or (ii) non-natural, namely grasslan…
− The Commission may adopt implementing acts further specifying the criteria by which to determine which grassland are to be covered by point (d) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 34…
− **5.** Biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from agricultural biomass taken into account for the purposes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall not be made from raw material obtained from land that was peatland in January 2008, unless eviden…
− (a) the country in which forest biomass was harvested has national or sub-national laws applicable in the area of harvest as well as monitoring and enforcement systems in place ensuring: (i) the legality of harvesting operations; (ii) forest regeneration of harvested areas; (iii) that areas designat…
− (b) when evidence referred to in point (a) of this paragraph is not available, the biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from forest biomass shall be taken into account for the purposes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 if management systems ar…
− (d) at least 70 % for electricity, heating and cooling production from biomass fuels used in installations starting operation from 1 January 2021 until 31 December 2025, and 80 % for installations starting operation from 1 January 2026.
− (a) installations located in an outermost region as referred to in Article 349 TFEU to the extent that such facilities produce electricity or heating or cooling from biomass fuels; and
− (b) biomass fuels used in the installations referred to in point (a) of this subparagraph, irrespective of the place of origin of that biomass, provided that such criteria are objectively justified on the grounds that their aim is to ensure, for that outermost region, a smooth phase-in of the criter…
− **1.** Where biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels, or other fuels that are eligible for counting towards the numerator referred to in point (b) of Article 27(1), are to be taken into account for the purposes referred to in Articles 23 and 25 and in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph…
− (a) when the processing of a consignment of raw material yields only one output that is intended for the production of biofuels, bioliquids or biomass fuels, renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, or recycled carbon fuels, the size of the consignment and the related q…
− (b) when the processing of a consignment of raw material yields more than one output that is intended for the production of biofuels, bioliquids or biomass fuels, renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, or recycled carbon fuels, for each output a separate conversion fa…
− **3.** Member States shall take measures to ensure that economic operators submit reliable information regarding the compliance with the greenhouse gas emissions savings thresholds set in, and adopted pursuant to, Article 25(2), and with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteri…
− The obligations laid down in this paragraph shall apply regardless of whether the biofuels, bioliquids, biomass fuels, renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin, or recycled carbon fuels are produced within the Union or are imported. Information about the geographic origi…
− **4.** The Commission may decide that voluntary national or international schemes setting standards for the production of biofuels, bioliquids or biomass fuels, or other fuels that are eligible for counting towards the numerator referred to in point (b) of Article 27(1), provide accurate data on gre…
− **6.** Member States may set up national schemes where compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria laid down in Article 29(2) to (7) and (10) and with the greenhouse gas emissions savings thresholds for renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biologica…
− A Member State may notify such a national scheme to the Commission. The Commission shall give priority to the assessment of such a scheme in order to facilitate mutual bilateral and multilateral recognition of schemes for verification of compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emission…
− Where the decision is positive, schemes established in accordance with this Article shall not refuse mutual recognition with that Member State's scheme, as regards verification of compliance with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria laid down in Article 29(2) to (7) and (1…
− **9.** Where an economic operator provides evidence or data obtained in accordance with a scheme that has been the subject of a decision pursuant to paragraph 4 or 6 of this Article, to the extent covered by that decision, a Member State shall not require the supplier to provide further evidence of …
− **10.** At the request of a Member State, which may be based on the request of an economic operator, the Commission shall, on the basis of all available evidence, examine whether the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria laid down in Article 29(2) to (7) and (10) in relation to…
− Within six months of receipt of such a request and in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 34(3), the Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, decide whether the Member State concerned may either:
− (a) take into account biofuels, bioliquids, biomass fuels and other fuels that are eligible for counting towards the numerator referred to in point (b) of Article 27(1) from that source for the purposes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 29(1); or
− (b) by way of derogation from paragraph 9 of this Article, require suppliers of the source of biofuels, bioliquids, biomass fuels and other fuels that are eligible for counting towards the numerator referred to in point (b) of Article 27(1) to provide further evidence of compliance with those sustai…
− **3.** In 2026, the Commission shall submit, if appropriate, a legislative proposal on the regulatory framework for the promotion of energy from renewable sources for the period after 2030.
− **2.** The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 8(3), the second subparagraph of Article 25(2), the fourth subparagraph of Article 26(2), the fifth subparagraph of Article 26(2), point (c) of Article 27(1), the seventh subparagraph of Article 27(3), Article…
− **4.** The delegation of power referred to in the fifth subparagraph of Article 7(3), the second subparagraph of Article 8(3), the second subparagraph of Article 25(2), the fourth subparagraph of Article 26(2), the fifth subparagraph of Article 26(2), point (c) of Article 27(1), the seventh subparag…
− **7.** A delegated act adopted pursuant to the fifth subparagraph of Article 7(3), the second subparagraph of Article 8(3), the second subparagraph of Article 25(2), the fourth subparagraph of Article 26(2), the fifth subparagraph of Article 26(2), point (c) of Article 27(1), the seventh subparagrap…
− **ENERGY CONTENT OF FUELS**
− | Fuel | Energy content by weight (lower calorific value, MJ/kg) | Energy content by volume (lower calorific value, MJ/l) |
− | Biodiesel - fatty acid methyl ester (methyl-ester produced from oil of biomass origin) | 37 | 33 |
− | Biodiesel - fatty acid ethyl ester (ethyl-ester produced from oil of biomass origin) | 38 | 34 |
− | ETBE (ethyl-tertio-butyl-ether produced on the basis of ethanol) | 36 (of which 37 % from renewable sources) | 27 (of which 37 % from renewable sources) |
− The certification schemes or equivalent qualification schemes referred to in Article 18(3) shall be based on the following criteria:
− **CERTIFICATION OF INSTALLERS**
− 1. The certification or qualification process shall be transparent and clearly defined by the Member States or by the administrative body that they appoint.
− 2. Installers of biomass, heat pump, shallow geothermal and solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy shall be certified by an accredited training programme or training provider.
− 3. The accreditation of the training programme or provider shall be effected by Member States or by the administrative body that they appoint. The accrediting body shall ensure that the training programme offered by the training provider has continuity and regional or national coverage. The training…
− 5. The training course shall end with an examination leading to a certificate or qualification. The examination shall include a practical assessment of successfully installing biomass boilers or stoves, heat pumps, shallow geothermal installations, solar photovoltaic or solar thermal installations.
− 6. The certification schemes or equivalent qualification schemes referred to in Article 18(3) shall take due account of the following guidelines: (a) Accredited training programmes should be offered to installers with work experience, who have undergone, or are undergoing, the following types of tra…
− 6. For the purposes of the calculation referred to in point 1(a), greenhouse gas emissions savings from improved agriculture management, e_sca, such as shifting to reduced or zero-tillage, improved crop/rotation, the use of cover crops, including crop residue management, and the use of organic soil …
− 15. Emission savings from CO_2 capture and replacement, e_ccr, shall be related directly to the production of biofuel or bioliquid they are attributed to, and shall be limited to emissions avoided through the capture of CO_2 of which the carbon originates from biomass and which is used to replace fo…
− 18. For the purposes of the calculation referred to in point 17, the emissions to be divided shall be e_ec + e_l + e_sca + those fractions of e_p, e_td, e_ccs, and e_ccr that take place up to and including the process step at which a co-product is produced. If any allocation to co-products has taken…
− | other cereals excluding maize ethanol (forest residues as process fuel in CHP plant | 30,7 | 31,4 |
− 6. For the purposes of the calculation referred to in point 1(a), emission savings from improved agriculture management, e_sca, such as shifting to reduced or zero-tillage, improved crop/rotation, the use of cover crops, including crop residue management, and the use of organic soil improver (e.g. c…
− 15. Emission savings from CO_2 capture and replacement, e_ccr, shall be related directly to the production of biomass fuel they are attributed to, and shall be limited to emissions avoided through the capture of CO_2 of which the carbon originates from biomass and which is used to replace fossil-der…
− 18. For the purposes of the calculations referred to in point 17, the emissions to be divided shall be e_ec + e_l + e_sca + those fractions of e_p, e_td, e_ccs and e_ccr that take place up to and including the process step at which a co-product is produced. If any allocation to co-products has taken…
+ (1) ‘energy from renewable sources’ or ‘renewable energy’ means energy from renewable non-fossil sources, namely wind, solar (solar thermal and solar photovoltaic) and geothermal energy, osmotic energy, ambient energy, tide, wave and other ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage trea…
+ (1a) ‘industrial grade roundwood’ means saw logs, veneer logs, round or split pulpwood, as well as all other roundwood that is suitable for industrial purposes, excluding roundwood the characteristics of which, such as species, dimensions, rectitude and node density, make it unsuitable for industria…
+ (4) ‘gross final consumption of energy’ means the energy commodities delivered for energy purposes to industry, transport, households, services including public services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the consumption of electricity and heat by the energy branch for electricity and heat produc…
+ (9a) ‘renewables acceleration area’ means a specific location or area, whether on land, sea or inland waters, which a Member State designated as particularly suitable for the installation of renewable energy plants;
+ (9b) ‘solar energy equipment’ means equipment that converts energy from the sun into thermal or electrical energy, in particular solar thermal and solar photovoltaic equipment;
+ (14a) ‘bidding zone’ means a bidding zone as defined in Article 2, point (65), of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (14b) ‘innovative renewable energy technology’ means renewable energy generation technology that improves, in at least one way, comparable state-of-the-art renewable energy technology or that renders renewable energy technology that is not fully commercialised or that involves a clear degree of risk…
+ (14c) ‘smart metering system’ means a smart metering system as defined in Article 2, point (23), of Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (14d) ‘recharging point’ means a recharging point as defined in Article 2, point (48), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (14e) ‘market participant’ means a market participant as defined in Article 2, point (25), of Regulation (EU) 2019/943;
+ (14f) ‘electricity market’ means electricity markets as defined in Article 2, point (9), of Directive (EU) 2019/944;
+ (14g) ‘domestic battery’ means a stand-alone rechargeable battery of rated capacity greater than 2 kwh, which is suitable for installation and use in a domestic environment;
+ (14h) ‘electric vehicle battery’ means an electric vehicle battery as defined in Article 3(1), point (14), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (14i) ‘industrial battery’ means an industrial battery as defined in Article 3(1), point (13), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542;
+ (14j) ‘state of health’ means state of health as defined in Article 3(1), point (28), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542;
+ (14k) ‘state of charge’ means state of charge as defined in Article 3(1), point (27), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542;
+ (14l) ‘power set point’ means the dynamic information held in a battery’s management system prescribing the electric power settings at which the battery should optimally operate during a recharging or a discharging operation, so that its state of health and operational use are optimised;
+ (14m) ‘smart recharging’ means a recharging operation in which the intensity of electricity delivered to the battery is adjusted dynamically, on the basis of information received through electronic communication;
+ (14n) ‘regulatory authority’ means a regulatory authority as defined in Article 2, point (2), of Regulation (EU) 2019/943;
+ (14o) ‘bi-directional recharging’ means bi-directional recharging as defined in Article 2, point (11), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;
+ (14p) ‘normal power recharging point’ means a normal power recharging point as defined in Article 2, point (37), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804;
+ (14q) ‘renewable energy purchase agreement’ means a contract under which a natural or legal person agrees to purchase renewable energy directly from a producer, which encompasses, but is not limited to, renewables power purchase agreements and renewables heating and cooling purchase agreements;
+ (18a) ‘industry’ means undertakings and products that fall under sections B, C, and F and under section J, division (63) of the statistical classification of economic activities (NACE REV.2), as set out in Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (18b) ‘non-energy purpose’ means the use of fuels as raw materials in an industrial process, rather than to produce energy;
+ (22a) ‘renewable fuels’ means biofuels, bioliquids, biomass fuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin;
+ (22b) ‘energy efficiency first’ means energy efficiency first as defined in Article 2, point (18), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999;
+ (36) ‘renewable fuels of non-biological origin’ means liquid and gaseous fuels the energy content of which is derived from renewable sources other than biomass;
+ (44a) ‘plantation forest’ means a plantation forest as defined in Article 2, point (11), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
+ (44b) ‘osmotic energy’ means energy created from the difference in salt concentration between two fluids, such as fresh water and salt water;
+ (44c) ‘system efficiency’ means the selection of energy-efficient solutions where they also enable a cost-effective decarbonisation pathway, additional flexibility and the efficient use of resources;
+ (44d) ‘co-located energy storage’ means an energy storage facility combined with a facility producing renewable energy and connected to the same grid access point;
+ (44e) ‘solar-electric vehicle’ means a motor vehicle equipped with a powertrain containing only non-peripheral electric machines as energy converter, with an electric rechargeable energy storage system which can be recharged externally, and with vehicle-integrated photovoltaic panels;
+ **1.** Member States shall collectively ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union’s gross final consumption of energy in 2030 is at least 42,5 %.
+ Member States shall collectively endeavour to increase the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union’s gross final consumption of energy in 2030 to 45 %.
+ Member States shall set an indicative target for innovative renewable energy technology of at least 5 % of newly installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
+ **3.** Member States shall take measures to ensure that energy from biomass is produced in a way that minimises undue distortive effects on the biomass raw material market and an adverse impact on biodiversity, the environment and the climate. To that end, they shall take into account the waste hier…
+ Member States shall design support schemes for energy from biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels in such a way as to avoid incentivising unsustainable pathways and distorting competition with the material sectors, with a view to ensuring that woody biomass is used according to its highest economic …
+ (a) wood-based products;
+ (b) extending the service life of wood-based products;
+ (c) re-use;
+ (d) recycling;
+ (e) bioenergy; and
+ (f) disposal.
+ **3a.** Member States may derogate from the principle of the cascading use of biomass referred to in paragraph 3 where needed to ensure security of energy supply. Member States may also derogate from that principle where the local industry is quantitatively or technically unable to use forest biomas…
+ (a) necessary forest management activities, aiming to ensure pre-commercial thinning operations or carried out in accordance with national law on wildfire prevention in high-risk areas;
+ (b) salvage logging following documented natural disturbances; or
+ (c) the harvest of certain woods whose characteristics are not suitable for local processing facilities.
+ **3b.** Member States shall, no more than once a year, notify the Commission of a summary of the derogations from the principle of the cascading use of biomass pursuant to paragraph 3a, together with the reasons for such derogations and the geographical scale to which they apply. The Commission shal…
+ **3c.** Member States shall not grant direct financial support for:
+ (a) the use of saw logs, veneer logs, industrial grade roundwood, stumps and roots to produce energy;
+ (b) the production of renewable energy from the incineration of waste, unless the separate collection obligations laid down in Directive 2008/98/EC have been complied with.
+ **3d.** Without prejudice to paragraph 3, Member States shall not grant new support or renew any support for the production of electricity from forest biomass in electricity-only installations, unless such electricity meets at least one of the following conditions:
+ (a) it is produced in a region identified in a territorial just transition plan established in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council due to its reliance on solid fossil fuels, and it meets the relevant requirements set out in Article 29…
+ (b) it is produced applying biomass CO_2 capture and storage and it meets the requirements set out in Article 29(11), second subparagraph;
+ (c) it is produced in an outermost region as referred to in Article 349 TFEU, for a limited period and with the objective of phasing down, to the greatest extent possible, the use of forest biomass without affecting access to safe and secure energy.
+ By 2027, the Commission shall publish a report on the impact of the Member States’ support schemes for biomass, including on biodiversity, on the climate and the environment, and on possible market distortions, and shall assess the possibility for further limitations regarding support schemes for fo…
+ **4a.** Member States shall establish a framework, which may include support schemes and measures facilitating the uptake of renewables power purchase agreements, enabling the deployment of renewable electricity to a level that is consistent with the Member State’s national contribution referred to …
+ With regard to the first subparagraph, point (a), (b), or (c), gas and electricity from renewable sources shall be considered only once for the purposes of calculating the share of gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources.
+ Energy produced from renewable fuels of non-biological origin shall be counted in the sector – electricity, heating and cooling, or transport – where it is consumed.
+ Without prejudice to the third subparagraph, Member States may agree, via a specific cooperation agreement, to count all or part of the renewable fuels of non-biological origin consumed in one Member State towards the share of gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources in the Member St…
+ **2.** For the purposes of paragraph 1, first subparagraph, point (a), gross final consumption of electricity from renewable sources shall be calculated as the quantity of electricity produced in a Member State from renewable sources, including the production of electricity from renewables self-cons…
+ (a) Final consumption of energy from renewable sources in the transport sector shall be calculated as the sum of all biofuels, biogas and renewable fuels of non-biological origin consumed in the transport sector. That shall include renewable fuels supplied to international marine bunkers.
+ **1a.** By 31 December 2025, each Member State shall agree to establish a framework for cooperation on joint projects with one or more other Member States for the production of renewable energy, subject to the following:
+ (a) by 31 December 2030, Member States shall endeavour to agree on establishing at least two joint projects;
+ (b) by 31 December 2033, Member States with an annual electricity consumption of more than 100 TWh shall endeavour to agree on establishing a third joint project.
+ The identification of joint offshore renewable energy projects shall be consistent with the needs identified in the high-level strategic integrated offshore network development plans for each sea-basin referred to in Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) 2022/869 of the European Parliament and of the Cou…
+ Member States shall work towards a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of joint projects. To that end, Member States shall take into account all the relevant costs and benefits of the joint project in the relevant cooperation agreement.
+ Member States shall notify the Commission of cooperation agreements, including the date on which the joint projects are expected to become operational. Projects financed by national contributions under the Union renewable energy financing mechanism established by Commission Implementing Regulation (…
+ **7a.** On the basis of the indicative goals for offshore renewable energy generation to be deployed within each sea basin, identified in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869, the Member States concerned shall publish information on the volumes of offshore renewable energy that the…
+ **1.** Member States shall ensure that any national rules concerning the authorisation, certification and licensing procedures that are applied to plants and associated transmission and distribution networks for the production of electricity, heating or cooling from renewable sources, to the process…
+ **2.** Member States shall clearly define any technical specifications which are to be met by renewable energy equipment and systems in order to benefit from support schemes and to be eligible under public procurement. Where harmonised standards or European standards exist, including technical refer…
+ **2a.** Member States shall promote the testing of innovative renewable energy technology for producing, sharing and storing of renewable energy through pilot projects in a real-world environment, for a limited period, in accordance with the applicable Union law and accompanied by appropriate safegu…
+ **3.** Member States shall ensure that their competent authorities at national, regional and local level include provisions for the integration and deployment of renewable energy, including for renewables self-consumption and renewable energy communities, and for the use of unavoidable waste heat an…
+ **8.** Member States shall assess the regulatory and administrative barriers to long-term renewable energy purchase agreements, and shall remove unjustified barriers to, and promote the uptake of, such agreements, including by exploring how to reduce the financial risks associated with them, in part…
+ Member States shall describe their policies and measures promoting the uptake of renewable energy purchase agreements in their integrated national energy and climate plans submitted pursuant to Articles 3 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and their integrated national energy and climate progress r…
+ Following the assessment referred to in the first subparagraph, the Commission shall analyse the barriers to long-term renewable energy purchase agreements and in particular to the deployment of cross-border renewable energy purchase agreements and shall issue guidance on the removal those barriers.
+ **9.** By 21 November 2025, the Commission shall consider if additional measures are needed to support Member States in the implementation of the permit-granting procedures provided for in this Directive, including by means of developing indicative key performance indicators.
+ ### Article 15a — Mainstreaming renewable energy in buildings
+ **1.** In order to promote the production and use of renewable energy in the building sector, Member States shall determine an indicative national share of renewable energy produced on-site or nearby as well as renewable energy taken from the grid in final energy consumption in their building sector…
+ **2.** Member States may count waste heat and cold towards the indicative national share referred to in paragraph 1, up to a limit of 20 % of that share. If they decide to do so, the indicative national share shall increase by half of the percentage of waste heat and cold counted towards that share.
+ **3.** Member States shall introduce appropriate measures in their national regulations and building codes and, where applicable, in their support schemes, to increase the share of electricity and heating and cooling from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby as well as renewable energy taken…
+ In order to achieve the indicative share of renewable energy provided for in paragraph 1, Member States shall, in their national regulations and building codes and, where applicable, in their support schemes or by other means with equivalent effect, require the use of minimum levels of energy from r…
+ For existing buildings, the first subparagraph shall apply to the armed forces only to the extent that its application does not cause any conflict with the nature and primary aim of the activities of the armed forces and with the exception of material used exclusively for military purposes.
+ **4.** Member States shall ensure that public buildings at national, regional and local level fulfil an exemplary role as regards the share of renewable energy used, in accordance with Article 9 of Directive 2010/31/EU and Article 5 of Directive 2012/27/EU. Member States may allow that obligation to…
+ **5.** Where deemed to be relevant, Member States may promote cooperation between local authorities and renewable energy communities in the building sector, particularly through the use of public procurement.
+ **6.** In order to achieve the indicative share of renewable energy provided for in paragraph 1, Member States shall promote the use of renewable heating and cooling systems and equipment and may promote innovative technology, such as smart and renewable-based electrified heating and cooling systems…
+ ### Article 15b — Mapping of areas necessary for national contributions towards the overall Union renewable energy target for 2030
+ **1.** By 21 May 2025, Member States shall carry out a coordinated mapping for the deployment of renewable energy in their territory to identify the domestic potential and the available land surface, sub-surface, sea or inland water areas that are necessary for the installation of renewable energy p…
+ Member States shall ensure that such areas, including the existing renewable energy plants and cooperation mechanisms, are commensurate with the estimated trajectories and total planned installed capacity by renewable energy technology set out in their national energy and climate plans submitted pur…
+ **2.** For the purpose of identifying the areas referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall take into account in particular:
+ (a) the availability of energy from renewable sources and the potential for renewable energy production of the different types of technology in the land surface, sub-surface, sea or inland water areas;
+ (b) the projected demand for energy, taking into account the potential flexibility of the active demand response, expected efficiency gains and energy system integration;
+ (c) the availability of relevant energy infrastructure, including grids, storage and other flexibility tools or the potential to create or upgrade such grid infrastructure and storage.
+ **3.** Member States shall favour multiple uses of the areas referred to in paragraph 1. Renewable energy projects shall be compatible with pre-existing uses of those areas.
+ **4.** Member States shall periodically review and, where necessary, update the areas referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, in particular in the context of the updates of their national energy and climate plans submitted pursuant to Articles 3 and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
+ ### Article 15c — Renewables acceleration areas
+ **1.** By 21 February 2026, Member States shall ensure that competent authorities adopt one or more plans designating, as a sub-set of the areas referred to in Article 15b(1), renewables acceleration areas for one or more types of renewable energy sources. Member States may exclude biomass combustio…
+ (a) designate sufficiently homogeneous land, inland water, and sea areas where the deployment of a specific type or specific types of renewable energy sources is not expected to have a significant environmental impact, in view of the particularities of the selected area, while: (i) giving priority t…
+ (b) establish appropriate rules for the renewables acceleration areas on effective mitigation measures to be adopted for the installation of renewable energy plants and co-located energy storage, as well as assets necessary for the connection of such plants and storage to the grid, in order to avoid…
+ The rules referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph shall be targeted to the specificities of each identified renewables acceleration area, to the type or types of renewable energy technology to be deployed in each area and to the identified environmental impact.
+ Compliance with the rules referred to in the first subparagraph, point (b), of this paragraph and the implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures by the individual projects shall result in the presumption that projects are not in breach of those provisions without prejudice to Article 16a(…
+ Competent authorities shall explain in the plans designating renewables acceleration areas referred to in the first subparagraph the assessment made to identify each designated renewables acceleration area on the basis of the criteria set out in point (a) of the first subparagraph and to identify ap…
+ **2.** Before their adoption, the plans designating renewables acceleration areas shall be subject to an environmental assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, and, if they are likely to have a significant impact on Natura 2000 sites, to the appropri…
+ **3.** Member States shall decide the size of renewables acceleration areas, in view of the specificities and requirements of the type or types of technology for which they set up renewables acceleration areas. While retaining the discretion to decide on the size of those areas, Member States shall …
+ **4.** By 21 May 2024, Member States may declare as renewables acceleration areas specific areas which have already been designated to be areas suitable for an accelerated deployment of one or more types of renewable energy technology, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
+ (a) such areas are outside Natura 2000 sites, areas designated under national protection schemes for nature and biodiversity conservation and identified bird migratory routes;
+ (b) the plans identifying such areas have been the subject of a strategic environmental assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC and, where appropriate, of an assessment pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC;
+ (c) the projects located in such areas implement appropriate and proportionate rules and measures to address the adverse environmental impact that may arise.
+ **5.** The competent authorities shall apply the permit-granting procedure and deadlines referred to in Article 16a to individual projects in renewables acceleration areas.
+ ### Article 15d — Public participation
+ **1.** Member States shall ensure public participation regarding the plans designating renewables acceleration areas referred to in Article 15c(1), first subparagraph, in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/42/EC, including identifying the public affected or likely to be affected.
+ **2.** Member States shall promote public acceptance of renewable energy projects by means of direct and indirect participation of local communities in those projects.
+ ### Article 15e — Areas for grid and storage infrastructure necessary to integrate renewable energy into the electricity system
+ **1.** Member States may adopt one or more plans to designate dedicated infrastructure areas for the development of grid and storage projects that are necessary to integrate renewable energy into the electricity system where such development is not expected to have a significant environmental impact…
+ (a) for grid projects, avoid Natura 2000 sites and areas designated under national protection schemes for nature and biodiversity conservation, unless there are no proportionate alternatives for their deployment, taking into account the objectives of the site;
+ (b) for storage projects, exclude Natura 2000 sites and areas designated under national protection schemes;
+ (c) ensure synergies with the designation of renewables acceleration areas;
+ (d) be subject to an environmental assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC and, where applicable, to an assessment pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC; and
+ (e) establish appropriate and proportionate rules, including on proportionate mitigation measures to be adopted for the development of grid and storage projects in order to avoid adverse effects on the environment that may arise, or, where it is not possible to avoid such effects, to significantly r…
+ While preparing such plans, Member States shall consult the relevant infrastructure system operators.
+ **2.** By way of derogation from Article 2(1) and Article 4(2) of and Annex I, point 20, and Annex II, point (3)(b), to Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and by way of derogation from Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Member States may, under justified circumstan…
+ **3.** Where a Member State exempts grid and storage projects pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article from the assessments referred to in that paragraph, the competent authorities of that Member State shall carry out a screening process of projects that are located in dedicated infrastructure areas.…
+ **4.** Where the screening process identifies a project to be highly likely to give rise to significant unforeseen adverse effects as referred to in paragraph 3, the competent authority shall ensure, on the basis of existing data, that appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures are applied to…
+ **5.** Where the integration of renewable energy into the electricity system requires a project to reinforce the grid infrastructure in or outside dedicated infrastructure areas, and such a project is subject to a screening process carried out pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article, to a determinat…
+ ### Article 16 — Organisation and main principles of the permit-granting procedure
+ **1.** The permit-granting procedure shall cover all relevant administrative permits to build, repower and operate renewable energy plants, including those combining different renewable energy sources, heat pumps, and co-located energy storage, including power and thermal facilities, as well as asse…
+ **2.** Within 30 days, for renewable energy plants located in renewables acceleration areas, and within 45 days, for renewable energy plants located outside renewables acceleration areas, of receipt of an application for a permit, the competent authority shall acknowledge the completeness of the app…
+ **3.** Member States shall set up or designate one or more contact points. Those contact points shall, upon the request of the applicant, guide and facilitate the applicant during the entire administrative permit-application and permit-granting procedure. The applicant shall not be required to conta…
+ **4.** The contact point shall make available a manual of procedures for developers of renewable energy plants and shall provide that information online, addressing distinctly also small-scale renewable energy projects, renewables self-consumers projects and renewable energy communities. The online …
+ **5.** Member States shall ensure that applicants and the general public have easy access to simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting procedure and the issuance of permits to build and operate renewable energy plants, including, where applicable, alternative di…
+ **6.** Member States shall ensure that administrative and judicial appeals in the context of a project for the development of a renewable energy plant, the connection of that plant to the grid, and the assets necessary for the development of the energy infrastructure networks required to integrate e…
+ **7.** Member States shall provide adequate resources to ensure qualified staff, upskilling and reskilling of their competent authorities in line with the planned installed renewable energy generation capacity provided for in their integrated national energy and climate plans submitted pursuant to A…
+ **8.** Except when it coincides with other administrative stages of the permit-granting procedure, the duration of the permit-granting procedure shall not include:
+ (a) the time during which the renewable energy plants, their grid connections and, with a view to ensuring grid stability, grid reliability and grid safety, the related necessary grid infrastructure, are being built or repowered;
+ (b) the time for the administrative stages necessary for significant upgrades of the grid required to ensuring grid stability, grid reliability and grid safety;
+ (c) the time for any judicial appeals and remedies, other proceedings before a court or tribunal, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including complaint procedures and non-judicial appeals and remedies.
+ **9.** Decisions resulting from the permit-granting procedures shall be made publicly available in accordance with the applicable law.
+ ### Article 16a — Permit-granting procedure in renewables acceleration areas
+ **1.** Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting procedure referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed 12 months for renewable energy projects in renewables acceleration areas. However, in the case of offshore renewable energy projects, the permit-granting procedure shall not exceed two …
+ **2.** The permit-granting procedure for the repowering of renewable energy power plants, for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW, for co-located energy storage, including power and thermal facilities, as well as for their grid connection, where located in renewables ac…
+ **3.** Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Article, by way of derogation from Article 4(2) of and Annex II, points 3(a), (b), (d), (h), (i), and 6(c), alone or in conjunction with point 13(a), to Directive 2011/92/EU, with regard to renewable energy projects, new applications for renewab…
+ By way of derogation from Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, the renewable energy plants referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, shall not be subject to an assessment of their implications for Natura 2000 sites provided that those renewable energy projects comply with the rules an…
+ **4.** The competent authorities shall carry out a screening process of the applications referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. Such a screening process shall aim to identify if any of the renewable energy projects is highly likely to give rise to significant unforeseen adverse effects in view …
+ For the purpose of such a screening process, the project developer shall provide information on the characteristics of the renewable energy project, on its compliance with the rules and measures identified pursuant to Article 15c(1), point (b), for the specific renewables acceleration area, on any a…
+ **5.** Following the screening process, the applications referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be authorised from an environmental perspective without requiring any express decision from the competent authority, unless the competent authority adopts an administrative decision, setting out…
+ In the event of justified circumstances, including where needed to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy to achieve the climate and renewable energy targets, Member States may exempt wind and solar photovoltaic projects from such assessments.
+ Where Member States exempt wind and solar photovoltaics projects from those assessments, the operator shall adopt proportionate mitigation measures or, where such mitigation measures are not available, compensatory measures, which, if other proportionate compensatory measures are not available, may …
+ **6.** In the permit-granting procedure referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, Member States shall ensure that the lack of reply by the relevant competent authorities within the established deadline results in the specific intermediary administrative steps to be considered as approved, except where the …
+ ### Article 16b — Permit-granting procedure outside renewables acceleration areas
+ **1.** Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting procedure referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed two years for renewable energy projects located outside renewables acceleration areas. However, in the case of offshore renewable energy projects, the permit-granting procedure shall no…