European Union: Renewables

El Gobierno español ha declarado como instalaciones energéticas estratégicas los proyectos renovables adjudicatarios en nudos de transición justa, vinculados al cierre de centrales térmicas de carbón o nucleares. Esta calificación agiliza procedimientos administrativos y aplica el régimen de obras públicas de interés general, facilitando la reactivación económica de territorios afectados mientras se mantienen las garantías ambientales.

Spain has launched a €9 billion electricity capacity market following EU approval, introducing a centralised mechanism that procures firm capacity through sealed-bid auctions administered by Red Eléctrica de España. The framework prioritizes renewable generation, storage, and demand-side resources for new investments while imposing strict emission limits on existing generation facilities.

The Council of State has issued a landmark ruling that fundamentally reshapes liability allocation in renewable energy asset transactions, determining that repayment obligations for forfeited incentives cannot automatically transfer to new plant owners. This decision challenges the established practice of Italy's energy services manager (GSE) and provides crucial protection for investors acquiring existing renewable energy facilities by limiting their exposure to historical compliance issues.

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for the period after 2030, introducing slower emission cap reductions, expanded roles for carbon removal and international credits, and new conditions for free allocation to industry. The proposal aims to balance climate targets with industrial competitiveness while creating financing mechanisms for green transition, affecting sectors from waste incineration to aviation and maritime transport.

Latvia is set to significantly reform its natural resources tax framework for renewable energy projects, introducing a substantial reduction in the BESS tax rate from EUR 17.03/kg to EUR 2.00/kg and expanding exemption eligibility beyond solar installations. The amendments will eliminate the current 1 MW minimum capacity threshold and remove supplier guarantee exemptions, while establishing new procedures for waste management compliance across all battery storage systems.

Poland's economic transformation in early 2026 has been characterized by comprehensive state-led reforms spanning deregulation, energy transition, labour enforcement, and infrastructure investment. The government has implemented nearly 200 deregulatory measures while simultaneously launching offshore wind projects and strengthening worker protections through enhanced labour inspectorate powers. This coordinated restructuring represents a strategic effort to reposition Poland's economy for sustainable growth

Ireland's Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 proposes significant reforms to the country's direct lines framework, removing restrictive barriers that have prevented private wire infrastructure development. The Bill would eliminate the grid-refusal precondition and establish new permitting criteria under the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, potentially unlocking opportunities for renewable energy deployment and alternative electricity supply arrangements.

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has published for public consultation a new draft Joint Ministerial Decision approving the revised Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy Sources and its accompanying Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (the New RES Framework).

As renewable energy sources become increasingly important to the national energy mix, and in the absence of cross-border electricity interconnections, electricity storage has become essential...