L R AS Published on Sunday 15 January 2023 - n° 430 - Categories:Europe
Authorisation deadlines for solar installations to be shortened
The European Union has decided to shorten the authorisation deadlines for solar and renewable energy installations under its REPowerEU programme.
Solar projects will be submitted
to a maximum authorisation period of three months. This measure builds on the emergency regulation recently announced by the EU to reduce the authorisation period for solar installations mounted on artificial structures, storage systems and associated grid connections to a maximum of one month.
Renewable energy "access zones" are to be created. The European Council describes them as "lands, seas or inland waters... chosen because they are particularly suitable for specific renewable energy technologies and present lower environmental risks".
EU Member States will have to map and designate "target areas" within 30 months of the new directive coming into force. They will adopt measures to mitigate any negative environmental effects resulting from the introduction of renewable energy assets in the designated areas.
All of a nation's plans will be subject to environmental approval by a single body, instead of the individual project assessments that are currently required.
The time required to build assets, establish grid connections or related grid infrastructure will not be included in the permitting periods.
PV Tech of 20 December 2022
