EDP chief: EU governments not Brussels slowing down renewable energy investments

The?CEO? of Portuguese energy group EDP stated on Thursday that European Union member countries are not implementing the necessary?permitting?reforms to get renewable power projects built, despite European Commission efforts.

Many countries have not yet fully implemented the measures?the EU adopted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to simplify permits for renewable projects, said CEO Miguel Stilwell d'Andrade.

"The problem isn't Europe. It's more up to member states, regional and local governments than Europe. He told reporters that it was all about the execution of plans on the ground.

He said that the approval of environmental permits can take years and delays investment decisions in Europe.

Last August, the European?Commission initiated infringement proceedings against 26 member countries for failing to fully 'turn their directives into laws.

Portugal's Environment Ministry spokesperson said that the country adopts measures to "streamline permitting and facilitate it as much as possible" while engaging with local communities early on and explaining project benefits.

The Italian energy ministry, as well as a spokesperson for the Polish government did not respond to our requests for comment.

EDP's subsidiary EDP Renovaveis is the fourth largest wind energy producer in the world. It has a global footprint that spans?29 countries throughout Europe, North America and Asia. EDP has plans to invest EUR12 billion (US$13.74 billion) between 2026-2028, primarily to expand its renewable power capacity with an emphasis on the U.S.

The plan includes EUR3.6 billion in investment in electricity network, a "key enabler" of renewable energy deployment. Two-thirds of the money will be spent in Iberia.

EDP stated in 'January that it can take up to six years for renewable energy projects to be approved, despite the fact that they are typically built within 12-18 months.

(source: Reuters)