EU amends renewables legislation and ups targets

The EU has adopted new green legislation that includes increasing its target for renewable energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, Upstream Online reported on Monday.

The amendment was made to the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive and includes measures to accelerate procedures for renewable energy projects.

Under the new policy, member states are required to stipulate designated renewable energy sites that will fall under the faster permit-granting processes.

Projects located in the designated areas are expected to be approved within a year, while projects outside of these areas are expected to be approved in two years.

Additionally, the new legislation considers renewable energy developments to be of ‘overriding public interest,’ limiting grounds for legal objections.

Previously, the government had set a target to have 32% of energy consumption come from renewables by 2030.

“This is a great achievement in the framework of the Fit for 55 package which will help reach the EU’s climate goal of reducing EU emissions by at least 55% by 2030,” said Teresa Ribera, vice-president and minister of ecological transition and demographic challenge.

“It is a step forward which will contribute to reaching the EU’s climate targets in a fair, cost-effective and competitive way.”

The Fit for 55 package was announced in 2021 with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1991 levels.