– It will include a big change – E24

The EU Renewable Energy Directive requires a fast track for new energy. NVE is afraid of people's acceptance.

Revised European Union Renewable Energy Directive It will accelerate the development of renewable energy.

It is now under consultation in Norway. Submission deadline entrance It expires in a few weeks – April 19.

What may be controversial is the EU's demand for shorter deadlines for renewable energy. Processes Which today can take 6-7 yearssuch as processing wind energy, according to the European Union, must be completed within one or two years.

Short deadlines especially apply to our deadlines “acceleration zones”“acceleration zones”“Accelerator areas” for renewable energy are areas that authorities must identify as suitable. Early impact assessments must be carried out so that actors can get treatment faster when they apply for a licence. Gray areas should be prioritized, Natura 2000 areas and national protected areas are excluded. For renewable energy. The Norwegian Water and Energy Directorate (NVE) requires comprehensive assessments, according to A Consultation statement In this case.

“Requirements for deadlines in the processing of permits and the designation of so-called acceleration zones for renewable energy development will necessitate a significant change in the process of processing permits,” NVE wrote.

Concerned about trust

NVE notes that licensing processing takes time as there are strict requirements for local involvement, investigations and hearings. They point out that power developments often lead to significant conflicts of interest.

“There is therefore a need for comprehensive democratic processes and professional evaluations to ensure that NVE's recommendations and decisions are of sufficient quality. The requirements are also seen as essential to ensure trust and legitimacy in the decisions made,” NVE wrote.

The EU wants to set a deadline for processing applications in acceleration zones of 12 months on land and up to two years for offshore power generation. Outside of the acceleration areas, the deadlines are two and three years, respectively.

“This will involve a significant change regarding the current process,” NVE wrote.

Conservatives want progress

Storting representative Nikolai Astrup (H) fears energy shortages could threaten Norway's climate goals.

– He says much faster processing times are needed if we are to get close to producing enough renewable energy in the next few years.

– If you want to go down to the level set by the European Union, it requires comprehensive and good treatment of relevant areas in advance. If done correctly, there is no need to argue. I'm concerned that NVE is too defensive in its approach, Astrup says.

– Fast lanes are problematic

The second vice-chair of Parliament's Energy and Environment Committee, Sophie Marhaug, expressed skepticism about the EU's proposal for its own fast-track renewable energy.

“I would urge the government to say no to this,” Marhog says.

– These fast tracks are a problem. It is not realistic to implement this, and I do not think you will get good democratic processes if you are going to have such a quick treatment that the EU is proposing. She says Parliament decided to give municipalities more influence in these matters in order to have better operations.

She believes that the idea of ​​one being able to quickly identify areas where power can be developed is bureaucratic, and fears that haste will affect, among other things, the mapping of nature.

– I also think that there will be more opposition if this comes from the European Union than if it comes from the Norwegian authorities. Both parts are problematic, she says.

in Heyerdahl platform In 2021, the ruling parties Ap and Sp promised to develop a comprehensive plan for energy development in Norway. In Question Time on March 7 this year, Energy Minister Terje Aasland said: “Working with a comprehensive plan “It hasn't started yet.”

– It can reduce acceptance

The Renewable Energy Directive requires EU member states to map areas suitable for new renewable energy.

The last time Norway tried this, it was unpopular. In 2019, NVE submitted a map of areas suitable for wind energy, but Solberg's government quickly shelved the proposal.

The Liberal Party recently proposed putting the proposal forward again, but it was met with skepticism.

NVE fears that too much acreage may be allocated for potential energy developments.

“The significant cumulative effect of natural encroachment from areas that are mapped, but not used, can reduce the acceptability of new power generation development. This is the experience of the National Wind Energy Framework,” the NVE wrote in the consultation.

“It is also problematic that large areas are viewed as being limited to potential future energy production over a long period of time,” the directorate wrote.

The Renewable Energy Directive stipulates that EU countries must have an average of 42.5 percent renewable energy by 2030, from 23 percent in 2022.

Criticisms from opponents of wind energy

Headwinds Norway He went hard Against the EU's desire for urgent 12-month operations.

– If we don't pay close attention and say stop, Norway could slowly be drawn into a web of laws and EU rules that facilitate the large-scale consumption of nature for wind power plants that will feed energy-guzzling ammonia plants and TikTok data. Centres, said John Viskvik at Upwind Norway in a press release in March.

he Criticize The Renewable Energy Resources Directive is also not available in Norwegian.

Guidance is available at English, Danish And Swedish.