Failure to act within the next two months could result in legal action seeking financial sanctions.

In September 2024, the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 26 Member States for failing to fully transpose the directive into national law. It has now concluded that Portugal, Latvia, and Ireland "have not yet fully transposed the provisions on the simplification and acceleration of licensing procedures."

In this regard, the Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to these three Member States, which now have two months to respond and adopt the necessary measures for full transposition. "Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the directive to the Court of Justice of the European Union, requesting the imposition of financial sanctions," reads the communication released this morning by the European executive.

The amending directive came into force in November 2023, and some provisions had to be transposed into national law by July 1, 2024. These provisions "aim to simplify and accelerate the licensing procedures for renewable energy projects, as well as infrastructure projects" needed to integrate additional capacity into the electricity system.

The rules that require transposition include the "definition of clear deadlines" for licensing procedures for specific technologies or projects, the strengthening of the role of the single point of contact for processing applications, and the presumption that projects related to renewable energy and related network infrastructure are in the overriding public interest.

In addition to this "reprimand," in the same communication, the Commission urges Portugal to comply with EU rules on urban wastewater treatment. Portugal now has two months to respond and adopt the necessary measures; otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.