In the fight against the energy crisis, the European Commission wants to significantly speed up approvals for many solar systems. These should be approved within a month at the latest, according to a proposal for an emergency law that was presented on Wednesday. For heat pumps, the Brussels authorities propose an approval period of up to three months. The law is applicable for one year and must be approved by EU countries before it can come into force.
“Today’s proposals could already make a difference in the coming months and directly benefit citizens and businesses,” said EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. Renewable energy projects would be considered “of high public interest” by law. For example, wind farms would be exempted from certain environmental protection rules and would be more difficult to challenge in court.
New proposal should only apply temporarily
For small solar panels and solar systems, for example on roofs or parking lots, certain environmental assessments would be omitted. When expanding or renovating existing sustainable energy systems – such as equipping wind farms with more modern wind turbines – approval, including environmental assessment, takes a maximum of six months.
In the spring, the European Commission had already proposed long-term legislative changes to approve green power plants more quickly and to stimulate their expansion. The European Parliament and EU countries are currently negotiating this. The new proposal is intended to be temporary, given the rise in energy prices.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
