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Renewable Energy Directive

Intro

Explanation & relevance: The RED provides the legal framework for the deployment of renewable energy sources and sets timely targets for this deployment.

History:The RED was first adopted in 2009, amended in 2018 by the ‘Revised RED’ and the final revision (RED II) entered into force in 2023.

Status: The RED II is under implementation by Member States. It is expected that this directive will be revised to set a renewable energy target for 2040.

Timeline

Highlights

Higher overall RES target for 2030

The Union’s binding target for the share of renewable energy sources in 2030 is raised from 32% to 42.5% and complemented by an indicative target to reach 45%.

RES target for HC

Member States must increase the share of renewable energy sources in Heating & cooling sector by at least 0.8 percentage points on average over the period 2021-2025, and 1.1 percentage points over the period 2026-2030.

Additional subsectoral targets

DHC

Member States shall increase the share of renewable energy sources and waste heat and cold in DHC by an indicative 2,2 percentage points as an annual average calculated for the period 2021 to 2030, compared to 2020.

Buildings

Member States must set national contributions to achieve an indicative EU collective target for the share of renewable energy sources in the building sector of at least 49% by 2030.

Industry

Member States shall increase the share of renewable energy sources in the final energy and non-energy purposes in the industry sector by an indicative increase of at least 1,6 percentage points as an annual average calculated for the periods 2021 to 2025 and 2026 to 2030.

Accelerated permitting

Several new provisions aim at streamlining and accelerating permitting procedures for RES projects. Notably, these include:

  • Mapping the areas necessary for the national contributions to the EU renewable energy sources target for 2030.
  • Designating by 21 February 2026 so-called Renewables Acceleration Areas for one or more technologies, where faster and streamlined permitting procedures will apply.
  • Faster and simplified permitting procedures for the installation of solar energy equipment, which shall not exceed 3 months when the primary aim is not solar energy production or energy storage (1 month for installations with a maximum capacity of 100 kW or less).

Relevant Documentation

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