site.btaEuropean Commission Calls on Bulgaria, 26 EU Countries to Accelerate Procedures for Renewable Energy Projects

The European Commission (EC) Thursday called on 26 EU countries, including Bulgaria, to fully implement European rules to accelerate permitting procedures for renewable energy projects.

The EC has started launching infringement procedures and has sent formal letters of notification to all EU countries except Denmark, the only EU country to meet the July 1 deadline for implementing the rules. 

The new EU rules provide for simplification and acceleration of permitting procedures, including for projects to incorporate additional extracted renewable energy into the electricity grid. The rules contain clear deadlines for the procedures and are based on the understanding that renewable energy projects and related grid infrastructure are of overriding public interest.

The EU countries have two months to respond and implement the rules. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the EC may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.