Electricity grids: EU moves closer to speeding up permitting for energy projects

The European Parliament, in July 2026, adopted a proposal aimed at accelerating permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, electricity grids, energy storage facilities and recharging stations across the EU. The initiative forms part of the broader European grids package and seeks to streamline the development of critical energy infrastructure. The proposed legislation would introduce shorter permitting deadlines, establish a single national digital portal covering all stages of the permitting process, and create a dedicated EU-wide framework for permitting electricity grid infrastructure.

MEPs are also seeking to broaden and reinforce the presumption that renewable energy projects and electricity grids are of overriding public interest. Under Parliament’s position, Member States would no longer be able to restrict or introduce exceptions to this presumption, except in duly justified cases where this is strictly necessary to protect formally designated cultural heritage.

The proposal would also introduce new requirements for grid connection procedures, including shorter deadlines and increased transparency. As a general rule, such procedures would have to be completed within three months, with certain projects benefiting from tacit approval where the applicable deadline is not met. New deadlines of between six and nine months would also apply to grid connections for installations located within and outside designated acceleration areas, depending on the location and technology concerned. In addition, MEPs propose increasing the capacity threshold above which a permit is required from 100 kW to 200 kW for small-scale solar installations, energy storage facilities and recharging stations. Recharging stations installed on artificial structures with a total installed capacity of up to 1 MW would similarly be exempt from administrative permitting requirements.

Interinstitutional negotiations are expected to begin under the Irish Presidency of the Council, following the Council’s adoption of its own position and once Parliament’s negotiating mandate has been confirmed by the plenary.