The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against 26 EU Member States for failing to transpose the revised Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national law by the required deadlines. Denmark is the only country that met the legal obligations on time.

Letters of formal notice have been sent to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden.

The updated directive, adopted in 2023, is a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across all sectors—not only in electricity generation but also in more challenging areas such as heating and cooling, buildings, transport, and industry. It introduces strengthened or new targets and cross-cutting measures to support clean energy, including enhanced guarantees of origin, promotion of electrification and renewable hydrogen, and sustainability safeguards for bioenergy.

Member States were required to notify full transposition of the directive by May 21, 2025, with some permitting-related provisions due earlier, by July 1, 2024. According to the Commission, none of the 26 countries have completed the process, potentially hindering progress on the EU's climate goals.

The directive plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector—responsible for over 75% of emissions in the EU—while also strengthening energy security, lowering energy prices, and boosting economic competitiveness.

The countries now have two months to respond, complete the transposition, and notify the Commission of their measures. If no satisfactory progress is made, the Commission may escalate the process by issuing reasoned opinions, the next formal step in the infringement procedure.