Croatia is one of 26 EU member states under scrutiny by the European Commission (EC) for failing to transpose the rules aimed at accelerating the issuance of permits for renewable energy projects into national law. The deadline for implementing the revised Renewable Energy Directive, which seeks to streamline and expedite the permitting process, was set for July 1, 2024. So far, only Denmark has fully complied.
In response, the EC has issued official warnings to the remaining member states, granting them two months to address the issue. If they fail to provide a satisfactory response, the Commission will proceed with a reasoned opinion, marking the next step in the EU infringement procedure.
The EC regularly publishes a monthly package of decisions regarding EU law infringements, which follow a three-step process. Initially, an official warning is issued. If the issue remains unresolved, a reasoned opinion demanding compliance is sent. Should the member state still not cooperate, the EC may escalate the matter to the European Court of Justice, although most cases are settled before reaching that stage.
