Eu commission sues sweden over renewable energy breach
The eu commission is taking sweden to court for failing to fully implement new rules on simpler permits for renewable energy. The directive, effective since 2023, was due to be transposed into swedish law by july 2024. Sweden now faces potential fines if ruled against.
The eu commission has decided to sue sweden at the eu court of justice for failing to implement a renewable energy directive. Adopted two years ago, the directive aims to accelerate the expansion of wind and solar power to meet eu climate targets by 2030. It entered into force in november 2023, with member states required to transpose it into national law by july 1, 2024.
The directive includes measures for faster and simpler permitting processes, with deadlines for handling. It also mandates establishing a 'one-stop-shop' authority to assist energy companies, and prioritizes renewable projects as overriding public interest. Despite two reminders from the commission, sweden has neither implemented the rules nor notified a plan for the process.
In a press release, the eu commission states: 'Promoting renewable energy is crucial for the eu's path to carbon neutrality.' If sweden is found guilty, the court may impose a lump-sum fine or daily penalties.
Reactions are sharp. Daniel helldén (greens) demands energy minister ebba busch (christian democrats) explain in parliament: 'This is the ultimate proof of how fanatically the government has opposed renewable energy, to the point of being hauled before eu court. The ideological resistance to wind power is so strong that they ignore what's good for sweden.'
Ebba busch responds: 'Sweden under the current government prioritizes simplifying both convoluted rules and slow permitting processes. For the eu to target a country with 99 percent fossil-free electricity while the eu average is 31 percent fossil is remarkable. It steals focus from the bigger problem.' She adds that most cases are already handled within the directive's time limits.