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Renewable energy – directive, targets and rules

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is the EU’s core legal framework to accelerate renewable energy deployment across electricity, heating & cooling, transport and industry. In 2023, the directive was revised to align with higher climate ambition and energy-security priorities, raising the EU-level 2030 renewables target.

Key facts

• 25.2% share of renewables in EU energy consumption (2024)
• 2030 binding target: at least 42.5% renewables in the EU energy mix (aiming for 45%)
• Amending Directive (EU) 2023/2413 entered into force 20 November 2023

Directive (EU) 2023/2413 as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources

Targets – how they evolved

2001 – Promotion of electricity from renewables
The EU introduced early rules to promote electricity produced from renewable sources (Directive 2001/77/EC), later replaced by newer legislation.

2009 – First EU-wide binding framework (2020 target)
The Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC established an overall policy for renewables and set an EU target of 20% renewables by 2020, delivered through binding national targets.

2018 – RED II (2030 target: 32%)
RED II (Directive (EU) 2018/2001) set a new EU-level 2030 target of at least 32%, with an upward revision clause by 2023, and introduced stronger provisions on market-based support, consumer participation (self-consumption/communities), guarantees of origin, and sectoral measures (including heating & cooling and transport).

2023 – RED III revision (2030 target: 42.5%, aiming 45%)
The directive was revised in 2023 via Directive (EU) 2023/2413, setting an overall binding 2030 target of at least 42.5% renewables, with the political ambition to reach 45%.

What changed with the 2023 revision (RED III) – practical implications

Faster deployment & permitting
The revision is designed to accelerate project rollout, including specific measures related to permitting. Some provisions had a shorter transposition deadline (including a July 2024 deadline for certain permitting-related provisions), while most provisions follow an 18-month transposition period from entry into force.

Renewables acceleration areas (RAAs)
Member States are required to designate renewables acceleration areas by February 2026 for at least one renewable technology, with streamlined permitting procedures in those zones.

Implementation guidance
The Commission has issued recommendations and guidance notes to support national transposition and implementation (including sector-focused guidance, e.g., heating & cooling and system integration).

Commission Recommendation C(2025)4024 on innovative technologies and forms of renewable energy deployment, on the establishment of areas for grid and storage infrastructure necessary to integrate renewable energy into the electricity system in accordance with Article15(e) of revised Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and on future proof network charges to reduce energy system costs

Communication from the Commission COM/2025/79 final - Action Plan for Affordable Energy Unlocking the true value of our Energy Union to secure affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans

From policy to delivery – the wider EU framework

Fit for 55 → REPowerEU → RED III

• In July 2021, the Commission proposed revising RED to raise ambition (Fit for 55 context).
• In May 2022, REPowerEU reinforced the acceleration of renewables for energy security and proposed moving towards the 45% objective.
• The final outcome was a binding 42.5% target for 2030, while aiming for 45%.