The European Parliament and Council of the EU agreed to double the consumption of renewable energy sources by 2030, as part of the European Green Deal “Fit for 55”.

The agreement sets a binding target for energy consumption from renewable sources to reach 42.5% by 2030, i.e. to almost double compared to current RES consumption levels of 22%. Member States, however, should strive to achieve the 45% target.

In addition, it was agreed to speed up the procedures for granting permits for new power plants from renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or windmills, or for the adaptation of existing ones. The maximum period for national authorities to approve new renewable energy installations will be 12 months if they are located in so-called “renewable energy areas”. Outside such areas, the process should not exceed 24 months.

In the transport sector, the development of renewable energy sources is expected to lead to a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, using a greater share of advanced biofuels and a more ambitious quota for non-biological renewable fuels such as hydrogen.

The European Parliament it also ensured that Member States set an indicative target for innovative renewable energy technology of at least 5% of new installed renewable energy capacity, as well as a binding framework for cross-border energy projects.

MEPs pushed for stricter criteria for biomass use to ensure the EU does not subsidize unsustainable practices.

The Commission has welcomed the provisional agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council to strengthen the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. “This agreement brings the EU one step closer to completing the ‘Fit for 55’ legislation to achieve the European Green Deal and the targets REPowerEU. The agreement increases the EU’s binding renewable energy target for 2030 to a minimum of 42.5%, up from the current target of 32% and almost doubling the existing share of renewable energy in the EU,” the Commission says.

According to the Commission, the agreement strengthens the sustainability criteria for bioenergy, in line with the increased climate and biodiversity ambition of the European Green Deal. In future, these criteria will apply to smaller installations (equal to or greater than 7.5 MW) instead of the 20 MW limit under the current directive. The agreement includes provisions to ensure that forest biomass does not come from certain areas of particular importance in terms of biodiversity and carbon stocks.

Today’s interim agreement now requires formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council. Once this process is complete, the new legislation will be published in the Official Journal of the Union and come into force.