Directive (EU) 2023/2413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 is part of the EU's strategy to accelerate the energy transition and achieve its climate goals. It introduces significant changes to the promotion of energy from renewable sources and includes amendments to three key pieces of legislation: Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (on renewable energy sources), Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (on energy and climate management), and Directive 98/70/EC (on fuel quality).
Increasing the renewable energy target
Directive 2023/2413 establishes a more ambitious renewable energy target for 2030, with a 42.5% share of renewable energy in the European Union's total energy production. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous target of 32% by 2030 (set in Directive 2018/2001). This increase reflects the need to accelerate the EU's energy transition to meet the challenges of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving this higher renewable energy target will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and support the development of local energy sources. This target requires EU Member States to implement more ambitious plans and actions to achieve the target share of renewable energy. This will involve investments in new technologies, the development of energy infrastructure, and energy market reform. Countries that have already achieved a higher share of renewables may have more flexible targets, while those with fewer resources will need to adjust their policies.
Support for the development of renewable energy sources
The process of obtaining permits for the construction of renewable energy installations, including wind farms, solar power plants, and biogas installations, is to be simplified. Many member states have struggled with delays related to lengthy administrative procedures that impacted project implementation times. The directive aims to shorten the waiting time for administrative decisions and enable faster implementation of renewable energy projects. The directive also envisages supporting modern and innovative renewable energy technologies, such as energy storage, smart grids, and hydrogen technologies. These innovations will enable effective management of renewable energy, which is particularly important in the context of unstable supply (e.g., in the case of wind or solar energy). The legislature also envisages increasing the availability of EU and national funds for renewable energy projects, which will enable the financing of costly investments, particularly in member states with less access to capital.
The growing role of renewable energy in transport
The directive places particular emphasis on increasing the role of renewable energy in transport, which is one of the key areas challenging to decarbonize. The transport sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, therefore increasing the use of renewable energy in transport is essential for the EU to achieve its climate goals. The directive promotes the use of biofuels in transport, particularly second- and third-generation biofuels, which have a lower environmental impact than first-generation biofuels. Bioenergy from agricultural, forestry, and municipal waste, as well as algae, is becoming increasingly popular because it allows for the production of renewable fuels without occupying agricultural land. The directive supports the development of renewable fuels, including e-fuels, synthetic fuels produced from renewable energy. These are seen as a solution for decarbonizing transport, especially in sectors where electricity is insufficient (e.g., maritime and aviation). Hydrogen, and especially green hydrogen, is becoming a key element in the transformation of the transport sector. The directive promotes the use of hydrogen in transport, particularly in public transport (buses, trains) and heavy goods vehicles. Hydrogen is considered an energy carrier that can be used in various sectors of the economy, including transport, where it enables zero-emissions emissions. To support the development of electric and hydrogen transport, the directive encourages the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling stations. This will support the transition to alternative fuels in transport, increasing the availability of electric and hydrogen vehicles. The directive indicates the need to increase the share of renewable energy sources in transport, with new targets set at the national level. Member States will be required to gradually increase the share of renewable fuels in transport and support the development of the electric and hydrogen vehicle market.
Directive 2023/2413 aims not only to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the EU's overall energy mix but also to significantly improve the use of renewable energy sources in transport and other sectors. New targets, simplified administrative procedures, promoted innovative technologies, and increased access to financing are intended to help the EU achieve its ambitious climate goals. Increasing the role of renewable energy in transport, including through the development of biofuels, hydrogen, and e-fuels, is crucial to reducing emissions from this sector, which is one of the main challenges in combating climate change.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Legal status as of April 1, 2025
author:
Be the first to receive our articles and legal alerts, straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletter by clicking the link or contact us at social@kglegal.pl to personalize your content.
