The European Energy Storage Association (EESA) Has Recommended That The EU Set A Cap On Approval Times For Energy Storage Projects

 

 

The European Energy Storage Association (EESA) has recommended that the EU set a cap on approval times for energy storage projects to accelerate the deployment of the 200GW target.

 

EESA has submitted several recommendations to EU policymakers to address the ongoing licensing bottlenecks facing the energy storage industry. In its newly released position paper, the organization points out that current approval processes are hindering Europe's achievement of its 2030 target of 200GW of energy storage capacity. It recommends introducing binding approval timelines to provide certainty to investors and accelerate project deployment, suggesting a maximum approval period of 12 to 24 months.

 

The document notes that while legislative frameworks such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) aim to expedite approvals, implementation varies across member states, with the complete approval process for large projects in some markets potentially taking up to nine years. This inconsistency creates bottlenecks, and the lack of a coordinated framework, coupled with regulatory barriers such as dual grid pricing, unclear ownership rules, and a shortage of qualified personnel at various approval bodies, all impede the promotion of diversified energy storage technologies.

 

EESA recommends that the EU require member states to identify and publish grid and energy storage acceleration zones based on grid development plans, and to revise the RED to include technology-neutral, non-discriminatory provisions. Another key recommendation is to develop a pan-European digital platform for energy storage permitting to facilitate cross-border collaboration and standardization. Furthermore, the association calls on the EU to ensure that full environmental impact assessments are only conducted on independent and co-located energy storage projects when a corresponding environmental risk exists, and to streamline screening procedures to prevent projects from being blocked due to unnecessary assessments or local objections.