The European Commission has referred Sweden to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to transpose new EU rules designed to speed up renewable energy permitting.
The move follows “repeated warnings” from Brussels after Sweden missed the 1 July 2024 deadline to incorporate the provisions of Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national law.
The Directive, which amends the existing Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001, aims to simplify and shorten approval processes for renewable projects and related grid infrastructure.
According to the Commission, Sweden “has not yet notified any transposition measures” despite a letter of formal notice in September 2024 and a reasoned opinion issued in February 2025.
The Commission said that, as a result, it is referring the case to the CJEU “with a request to impose financial sanctions” under Article 260(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Accelerating the transition
The new rules are intended to introduce clearer time limits for permit-granting procedures, strengthen the role of single contact points for developers, and establish the presumption that renewable energy projects are of “overriding public interest.”
According to the Commission, these reforms are “essential to accelerate Europe’s transition to carbon neutrality, strengthen energy security and reduce energy costs.”
The legal case comes as EU institutions move to strengthen renewable deployment frameworks.
In March 2024, the European Parliament adopted the EU Solar Standard, a measure within the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requiring the phased rollout of rooftop solar installations from 2026.
At the time, SolarPower Europe described the measure as “a huge milestone to accelerate renewable deployment,” stating that the EU Solar Standard “puts the power in citizens’ hands” by making solar installations a standard feature of Europe’s buildings.
Missing the deadline
Directive (EU) 2023/2413 entered into force in November 2023, giving Member States eight months to align national legislation with the updated requirements.
While infringement procedures have been opened against all 27 Member States for incomplete transposition, Sweden is the first to be taken to court over the issue.
The referral forms part of the Commission’s October 2025 infringement package, which includes three energy-related cases referred to the CJEU.
Alongside Sweden, the Commission also pursued action against Malta and Slovakia through reasoned opinions for failing to fully implement the same Directive.
The Commission said the measures are necessary to ensure that EU law is “properly applied for the benefit of citizens and businesses” and to maintain momentum in the bloc’s clean energy transition.
More information about the European Commission’s infringement package can be found here.
