Report: Streamlining Permitting Procedures for Renewable Energy Generation Facilities in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and at the European Level
BMH AVOCATS , in collaboration with three European law firms—BBH, VERDIA Legal, and ADVOKATBYRÅN SIGEMAN & Co AB, has conducted an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of permitting procedures for renewable energy facilities in France, Spain, Sweden, and Germany. This report, produced with philanthropic support from Bill Gates’ Energy and Climate Foundation, Breakthrough Energy Foundation, highlights the need for corrective measures in each of these countries.
The report examines the permitting processes for renewable energy facilities and related infrastructure, grid connection, storage systems, and electrolysers. The findings of this study reveal a lack of substantial progress in streamlining permitting procedures, despite the efforts made by Member States and under the impetus of the European Union.
The obstacles to acceleration encountered in the authorization procedures vary depending on the different regulations in force in the four Member States studied.
However, obstacles common to all four countries have been identified. These include, in particular, significant delays in connecting facilities to the grid, a lack of coordination among the various administrative authorities, sometimes strong local opposition that creates uncertainty for projects, as well as a shortage of qualified personnel to process the numerous permit applications and the complexity of the procedures.
The overall analysis confirms once again that accelerating, simplifying, and streamlining permitting processes for renewable energy are crucial to a successful energy transition in Europe.
You can download the summary (in English) of the report *Acceleration of Permit Granting Procedures in Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, and at the EU Level*.