Brussels updates rules for fast-track renewable zones, restricted auctions

4 months ago 16

To get Europe on track for its 2030 renewables targets, the European Commission has provided new guidelines to EU countries for fast-track deployment zones while opening the door to more restrictive renewables auctions.

The original REPowerEU – a plan to wean Europe off Russian fossil fuels by 2028 following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine – was tabled in May 2022. Former European commissioner and Green Deal lead Frans Timmermans said it would make Europe “master of its own destiny.”

It had a transformative scope: high-ambition biogas and hydrogen targets, as well as more pragmatic renewable energy and savings targets.

To boost the deployment of renewables – neither wind nor solar are on track for their 2030 targets, the University of Columbia found in late 2023 – the revamp comes in three stages.

“Today’s guidance from the Commission will help Member States to accelerate the deployment of renewables,” said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson in a statement on Monday (13 April).

The Commission offers new guidance on how EU countries can select areas where wind or solar are automatically fast-tracked—each country must have at least one such zone by February 2026—new support for permitting procedures, and a step away from price-based renewables auctions.

Among the EU’s renewables lobby groups, the reaction was mostly positive.

“The Commission is … providing much-needed guidance on mapping and acceleration areas,” said Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of industry association SolarPower Europe.

A spokesperson for industry body Wind Europe said: “We are fully positive and welcome the announcements.”

The start of a new era

The Commission alsoprovidesg a set of recommendations to national government, on how best to apply non-price criteria in their renewables auctions. More than half of built renewables are awarded through regular government tenders.

After years of pleading by European industry—which struggles to compete purely on price with cheaper foreign options—EU countries can now include “quality, ability to deliver the project on time, responsible business conduct, cyber-security and data security, contribution to resilience, environmental sustainability or innovation” in their auction design, as per the Commission’s guidance.

In practice, that could entail an offshore wind developer winning a bid based on local nature restoration efforts. Such initiatives have already taken place in the North Sea by creating man-made reefs.

Should EU countries apply the suggestions, companies with more “resilient” supply chains will also receive preferential treatment. “Resilience criteria should be applied as soon as possible,” the WindEurope spokesperson said.

The new guidelines are said to comply with the recently passed Net Zero Industry Act, which promotes the manufacture of green technologies on EU soil.

[Edited by Donagh Cagney/Alice Taylor]