Abstract
The Renewable Energy Directive was amended in November 2023 (RED III) to accelerate the implementation of renewable energy (RE) projects in the Member States (MSs) of the European Union (EU). This involves conducting a coordinated mapping exercise to identify suitable areas,
•for the deployment of RE and associated infrastructure by 21 May 2025 (Article 15b), and
•as designated Renewable acceleration areas (RAAs) by 21 February 2026 (Article 15c).
‒However, rapid designation of RAAs is possible by 21 May 2024, provided that the area has already been sited for RES and meets several environmental safeguarding criteria (Article 15 c (4)).1
The stipulations of the RED III pose a major challenge for MSs to walk a fine line between rapid RE expansion and ensuring the highest environmental and social standards throughout all stages. Strategic spatial planning plays a crucial role in navigating this fine line: it facilitates the identification of suitable areas and the incorporation of RE projects into landscapes. Simultaneously, it helps to ensure long-term sustainability and secures areas for the designation of RAAs that will have a comparatively lower environmental impact.
In response to the amendments made to the RED III, CAN Europe, Birdlife, EEB and WWF EPO jointly commissioned this report to give an overview of how MS are endeavouring to implement the requirements. Based on the findings, the report aims to draw recommendations for further steps in the implementation process that contribute to strategies allowing the permittance of RE projects in an accelerated, yet environmentally and socially sustainable way. To gather real-time countryspecific insights, this study focuses on the implications of RED III for spatial planning and the status of designation of RAAs in six MSs: Estonia, Germany, Greece, Spain, Poland and Portugal. To do so, we evaluate the prevailing state of spatial planning and key instruments like sensitivity mapping and public participation. The report pinpoints barriers for each MS and provides both country-specific as well as overarching recommendations to bridge the identified gaps. For a detailed analysis, we feature three case studies that serve as instructive examples from which other MSs can derive valuable lessons. These include Portugal’s approach in fast-tracking the designation of RAAs, sensitivity mapping in Spain and the participatory process for RE development areas in Germany.