The tacit approval of permits for new energy projects has emerged as one of the most politically explosive issues in the EU's negotiations over the renewal of its ageing power grids, according to a document seen by Euronews.
Under proposals for the EU's new European Grids Package_,_ certain stages of the permit process for energy infrastructure projects aimed at revamping the bloc's electricity grid could automatically proceed if national authorities fail to respond within set deadlines.
The idea of a silent consent for such projects is unsettling EU capitals, which fear Brussels is quietly trying to transfer power from national authorities.
The legislative texts under the Grids Package "introduce a system of tacit approval for intermediary steps of the permit-granting procedures and administrative decisions. Member states have raised concerns about this approach and indicated that more flexibility might be needed," reads the official document.
The European Commission argues that the proposed rules to accelerate electricity grid and renewable energy projects are designed to balance environmental protection with urgent climate and energy goals.
