Brussels, 31 March 2025
EREF welcomes the launch of the initiative for fast & fair renewables and grids as a crucial step toward fostering a collaborative approach between renewable energy developers, energy communities, civil society, and nature protection associations. This joint effort aims to identify optimal ways to accelerate renewable energy deployment while ensuring the best possible respect for biodiversity and enhancing citizen engagement.
All stakeholders recognise that rapid renewable energy deployment is essential to achieve the EU’s net-zero emissions target by 2050, making this initiative both timely and necessary. As agreed at COP28, global renewable energy generation must triple by 2030 to address rapidly rising temperatures. The EU is planning for at least 42.5% (plus an indicative target of 2.5%) renewable energy by 2030, requiring massive investments in renewables, grids, and flexibility measures.
EREF also notes the significant gap between established EU legislation – including key provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive such as the overriding public interest of renewables – and its delayed transposition into national law. As a result, the European Commission initiated a number of infringement proceedings against several Member States that failed to implement RED III as standing EU law.
Moreover, local objections to new renewable energy projects continue to be a major barrier. This highlights the urgent need for streamlined, jointly developed best practices in permitting procedures to support full RED III implementation and the delivery of EU renewable energy targets.
EREF Director Prof. Dr. Dörte Fouquet expects: “By adopting permitting practices based on collaborative best practices, the initiative should significantly reduce development timelines by eliminating unnecessary complexity and increasing public acceptance. Local authorities responsible for approving renewable energy projects will benefit from a shared understanding that avoids reinventing the wheel for similar projects in comparable contexts”.
A cooperative and transparent approach, with a commitment to minimise local opposition, will benefit all stakeholders, strengthen regional communities, and promote sustainable development across Europe.
For more information, please contact
Prof. Dr. Dörte Fouquet
Director
doerte.fouquet@eref-europe.org
Dirk Hendricks
Secretary General
dirk.hendricks@eref-europe.org