EDP CEO Says EU Member States Failing to Implement Renewable Permitting Reforms

European Union member states are failing to implement critical permitting reforms needed to accelerate renewable energy projects, according to the CEO of Portuguese utility EDP. Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade said on Thursday that national and local governments are creating significant bottlenecks that hinder clean power investments.

National Delays Undermine EU Policy

Speaking to reporters, d’Andrade stated that measures adopted by the EU after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine to simplify permitting have not been fully implemented by many countries, including Portugal, Poland, and Italy. He emphasized that the delays are not a result of EU policy but of inaction at the national level.

"The problem is not Europe. It’s much more up to the member states and to the regional and local governments than Europe. It’s really about execution on the ground," he said. According to an EDP statement from January, securing permits for renewable projects in Europe can take four to six years, whereas the construction itself typically takes only 12 to 18 months.

Regulatory Context and Responses

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The European Commission launched infringement proceedings last August against 26 member states for failing to fully translate its renewable energy directives into national law. The lengthy approval processes are a recognized hurdle for investment across the bloc.

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Portugal’s environment ministry stated the country is adopting measures to "streamline and facilitate permitting as much as possible." Italy’s energy ministry and a Polish government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, according to the source report.

Investment Implications

The permitting delays directly impact investment decisions for major energy firms like EDP, which operates in 29 countries through its subsidiary EDP Renovaveis, the world's fourth-largest wind energy producer. The group plans to invest €12 billion ($13.74 billion) between 2026 and 2028, primarily to expand its renewable capacity with a notable focus on the United States. A further €3.6 billion is allocated for electricity networks, mostly in Iberia.