Europe must accelerate permitting procedures for wind projects and strengthen its electricity grids if it wants to improve energy security, lower electricity prices and reinforce its industrial competitiveness. That is the message from WindEurope, which is calling on the European Parliament to reinforce the upcoming EU Grids Package during the legislative negotiations.

The appeal follows the adoption by EU Energy Ministers of the Council's position on the legislative package, which aims to speed up the deployment of electricity grids, improve cross-border interconnections and streamline permitting procedures for grid infrastructure and wind farms.

However, WindEurope argues that Member States weakened several key elements of the European Commission's original proposal, particularly regarding permitting rules and coordinated EU-wide grid planning.

According to the association, more than 500 GW of wind capacity is currently waiting for grid connection approval, as developers continue to face lengthy, complex and largely paper-based administrative procedures.

"Europe does not need more bureaucracy. It needs to build more wind farms. Every delayed permit means delaying industrial growth, electrification and energy savings for households and businesses," said Tinne van der Straeten.

EU-wide grid planning

WindEurope welcomed the ministers' support for a common framework to jointly plan electricity, hydrogen and gas networks through a central scenario prepared by the European Commission with input from Member States and industry stakeholders.

However, the association warned that governments retained greater influence over the EU-wide planning scenario, a move it says risks reintroducing fragmentation into Europe's energy infrastructure planning.

WindEurope therefore urges the European Parliament to restore stronger EU-level coordination, arguing that it would provide long-term certainty for investors and developers while ensuring new grid infrastructure is built where it is most needed.

Four priorities to accelerate permitting

Ahead of the trilogue negotiations between Parliament, the Council and the Commission, WindEurope identified four priorities:

• Establish a digital one-stop shop allowing developers to submit and track all permitting applications through a single platform, combined with stronger tacit approval rules and automatic approval of grid connection requests.
  
  
• Expand the use of the overriding public interest principle to accelerate renewable energy permitting. As an example, the association highlighted Germany, which permitted 21 GW of new onshore wind capacity in 2025, while its latest onshore wind auction was heavily oversubscribed, resulting in an average awarded price of €51/MWh.
  
  
• Revise the proposed community benefit rules, which WindEurope says duplicate existing national schemes and create unnecessary costs and administrative burdens.
  
  
• Accelerate the repowering of ageing wind farms by replacing older turbines with newer and more efficient technology.

Van der Straeten said Europe needs a digital one-stop shop, effective tacit approval mechanisms, broader use of the overriding public interest principle, faster repowering procedures and simpler community benefit rules.

According to WindEurope, reducing red tape will be essential to strengthening Europe's energy security and industrial competitiveness in the years ahead.