In some EU countries, permitting processes can be an obstacle to renewable energy projects.
To address this issue, the Renewable Energy Directive, amended in 2023, includes provisions that simplify permitting processes to help set renewable energy projects in motion, while taking into account legitimate concerns of citizens and respecting environmental standards.
Power purchase agreements
Renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) – direct contracts between corporate companies and electricity suppliers – are expected to become a major driver for more market-based renewables deployment in the coming years. However, the take-up of this concept has been much slower than expected.
- The Commission published in May 2022, a Recommendation and a guidance document on permit-granting processes and PPAs (C/2022/3219) suggesting how best to facilitate power purchase agreements.
- In January 2026, a 4-week consultation on removing barriers to PPAs was launched. The input will feed into the Commission’s work assessing the regulatory and non-regulatory barriers to PPAs.
- On 22 April 2026, the Commission published a recommendation on removing barriers to the development of PPAs and other energy purchase agreements, together with a synopsis report of the 4-week consultation
Simplifying permitting processes
As part of the REPowerEU plan to shed the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the Commission proposed a series of measures to further accelerate renewable energy projects and remove administrative obstacles.
These measures are also relevant for grid and infrastructure projects that are needed to integrate renewable energy into the electricity system, and they complement the permitting reforms under the revised Renewable Energy Directive (EU/2023/2413).
- A Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting procedures for renewable energy projects and facilitating Power purchase agreements (C/2022/3219) and the accompanying guidance to the Member States on good practices to speed up permit-granting procedures for renewable energy projects (SWD/2022/149)
- A Council Regulation - amending regulation (EU/2022/2577) - laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (EU/2024/223)
- An updated Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting procedures for renewable energy and related infrastructure projects (EU/2024/1343) and the accompanying guidance to Member States (SWD/2024/124)
Renewables acceleration areas
The Renewable Energy Directive requires EU countries to designate, by February 2026, renewables acceleration areas for at least 1 type of renewable energy technology, with streamlined permit-granting procedures for projects deployed in those areas.
These should be areas that are particularly suitable for such projects, on the basis that the type of renewable energy source being deployed is not expected to have a significant environmental impact.
The Commission Staff Working Document (SWD/2024/333) provides further guidance on the designation of renewables acceleration areas.
The Commission is also making available digitally consolidated datasets on a wide range of relevant energy and environmental factors through the Energy and Industry Geography Lab to help EU countries identify renewables acceleration areas.
Renewable energy communities
The Renewable Energy Directive places a strong emphasis on making it easier for citizens to consume and produce renewable energy. By introducing provisions on self-consumption and renewable energy communities, it gives citizens the possibility to engage in renewable energy projects.
Empowering citizens in the clean energy transition may also help increase the local acceptance of renewable energy projects.
Studies
In February 2026, the Commission published a study on monitoring progress of measures to streamline permit-granting procedures under the revised RED and the Council Emergency Regulation and on the development of permitting-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
In February 2025, the Commission published a monitoring study and an accompanying staff working document on the implementation of its Recommendation on speeding up permitting for renewable energy and related infrastructure projects.
To inform and complement the guidance on designating renewables acceleration areas, the Commission published a study in July 2024 providing further information on elements relevant to the designation of renewables acceleration areas, such as spatial considerations, potential environmental impacts, mitigation measures and stakeholder engagement.
The 'RES Simplify' study (renewable energy sources) was published in 2023. It provides a comprehensive overview of the barriers and good practices related to permit-granting identified in EU countries, Norway and Iceland between 2020-2023.
Workshops
To support EU countries, the Commission organised a first workshop on permit-granting processes for renewable energy projects in June 2022. Around 100 high-level officials from environment and energy ministries, related agencies from almost all EU countries and officials from several Commission departments attended. It provided an opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions at national, regional and local levels for streamlining permit-granting procedures, improving site selection and minimising environmental impacts.
A second workshop was organised on 17 November 2022 to discuss the options that EU countries have to deploy renewable energy projects quickly, while also ensuring public acceptance.
A third workshop took place on 20 February 2025 on the topic of spatial planning of renewable energy projects.
Administrative barriers to faster permitting of renewable energy projects have also been discussed in the Single Market Enforcement Task Force throughout 2022-2024.
The implementation of the Commission Recommendation is being followed in a dedicated informal expert group for Member States.
- Press release - Commission presents guidance and recommendations to accelerate renewable energy roll-out ahead of REPowerEU anniversary (13/05/2024)
- Press release - REPowerEU: Commission steps up green transition away from Russian gas by accelerating renewables permitting (10/11/2022)
- Updated Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting procedures for renewable energy and related infrastructure projects (EU/2024/1343) and the accompanying guidance to Member States (SWD/2024/124)
- Further guidance document on designating renewables acceleration areas (SWD/2024/333)
- Recommendation on speeding up permit-granting and PPAs (COM/2022/3219)
- Guidance to the Member States on good practices to speed up permit-granting procedures for Renewable Energy Projects (SWD/2022/149)
- Renewable Energy Directive
- Council Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2022/2577 laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (EU/2024/223)
- Final study report: Technical support for RES policy development and implementation (April 2023)
- Council Regulation laying down a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy (EU/2022/2577) REPowerEU plan (COM/2022/230)
- REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy (COM/2022/108)
- Call for Evidence and Public consultation on “Renewable energy projects – permit-granting processes & power purchase agreements” (Q2 2022)