{"id":1956032,"date":"2026-05-26T14:16:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956032"},"modified":"2026-05-26T14:16:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:16:52","slug":"exclusive-no-reply-means-yes-eu-pushes-silent-approval-for-energy-grid-permits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1956032","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: No reply means yes: EU pushes silent approval for energy grid permits"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/19\/83\/1200x675_cmsv2_13bfbfbd-4473-5938-8bf0-3ab65012e26f-9771983.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896797-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896797\" data-cid=\"9773350\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896797-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/33\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_7f1f4b0f-8fb8-5f09-ae05-9c004ab0fce3-9773350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: A woman holds a banner during a protest against a law targeting anti-corruption institutions in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 23, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine graft probes &#8216;exactly what the EU wants,&#8217; deputy PM says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896807-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896807\" data-cid=\"9773444\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896807-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/34\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_53ab4c2f-b422-5f5b-be29-1cdcbf56c05e-9773444.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896763-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896763\" data-cid=\"9773117\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896763-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/31\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a64f24d8-46e3-5d10-923b-5182d41536eb-9773117.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man holds a sign depicting current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895800-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2895800\" data-cid=\"9769114\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895800-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/189x106_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens during the meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU chief vows to stand firm against drones, disinformation campaigns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896797-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896797\" data-cid=\"9773350\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896797-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/33\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_7f1f4b0f-8fb8-5f09-ae05-9c004ab0fce3-9773350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: A woman holds a banner during a protest against a law targeting anti-corruption institutions in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 23, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine graft probes &#8216;exactly what the EU wants,&#8217; deputy PM says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896807-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896807\" data-cid=\"9773444\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896807-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/34\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_53ab4c2f-b422-5f5b-be29-1cdcbf56c05e-9773444.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896763-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896763\" data-cid=\"9773117\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896763-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/31\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_a64f24d8-46e3-5d10-923b-5182d41536eb-9773117.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man holds a sign depicting current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895800-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2895800\" data-cid=\"9769114\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895800-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/189x106_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens during the meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU chief vows to stand firm against drones, disinformation campaigns\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Exclusive: No reply means yes: EU pushes silent approval for energy grid permits<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/19\/83\/1536x864_cmsv2_13bfbfbd-4473-5938-8bf0-3ab65012e26f-9771983.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Employees of the national electricity distributor work in freezing temperatures to fix power lines damaged by blizzards, near Pitulicea, Romania, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Employees of the national electricity distributor work in freezing temperatures to fix power lines damaged by blizzards, near Pitulicea, Romania, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/  Vadim Ghirda <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/  Vadim Ghirda\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779805012\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-05-26 16:16:52 +02:00\">26\/05\/2026 &#8211; 16:16 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"17:57\">17:57<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Some EU countries back the European Commission&#8217;s proposal to allow tacit approval for projects aimed at upgrading the EU\u2019s ageing power grid, while others have asked the EU&#8217;s Cyprus Presidency not to make such provision mandatory.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>The tacit approval of permits for new energy projects has emerged as one of the most politically explosive issues in the EU&#8217;s negotiations over the renewal of its ageing power grids, according to a document seen by Euronews.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Under proposals for the EU&#8217;s new European Grids Package_,_ certain stages of the permit process for energy infrastructure projects aimed at revamping the bloc&#8217;s electricity grid could automatically proceed if national authorities fail to respond within set deadlines. <\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The legislative texts under the Grids Package &#8220;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,&#8221; reads the official document.<\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p>Under its proposal tabled in December, the EU executive states that grid projects may receive a presumption of overriding public interest, meaning they are assumed to provide important public benefits unless proven otherwise.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Five countries push back against Commission&#8217;s electric grid plans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The measure is designed to tackle one of the EU\u2019s biggest obstacles to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 \u2014 projects trapped for years in administrative limbo.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission&#8217;s impact assessment, unveiled last December alongside its legislative proposal, shows that electricity projects take about 3.5\u20137.5 years for distribution grids and 7\u201310 years for transmission grids, identifying slow permitting as a key cause of delays, responsible for more than half of them.<\/p>\n<p>According to the proposal, if national authorities don&#8217;t act within two or three years, depending on the project&#8217;s complexity, intermediate permits or actions throughout the process are automatically deemed approved. <\/p>\n<p>EU leaders have been stressing the importance of revamping the bloc&#8217;s power grid as a condition for achieving its climate goals. They argue the EU can&#8217;t electrify its economy, phase out fossil fuels or compete industrially without building or upgrading grid infrastructure at unprecedented speed. <\/p>\n<p>The renewable energy sector is also affected, with wind farms waiting years for grid connections. Cross-border interconnectors remain stalled in the permitting process and national administrations often move too slowly to match the EU\u2019s climate targets.<\/p>\n<h2>Power transfer?<\/h2>\n<p>Across European capitals, governments increasingly see the proposal not as administrative streamlining, but as a quiet transfer of power from national authorities to Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>During behind-the-door negotiations, EU countries warned that automatic procedural approvals could create legal uncertainty, weaken environmental oversight and undermine domestic administrative systems. <\/p>\n<p>Several countries demanded \u201cmore flexibility\u201d in how tacit approval rules are designed, according to compromise documents circulated by the EU&#8217;s Cypriot presidency, including making silent consent non-mandatory.<\/p>\n<p>While countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia found the Commission&#8217;s proposal reasonable, France and Germany opposed the idea of a mandatory tacit approval of permitting and administrative decisions related to new energy projects, according to an EU official. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">European Commission faces backlash over plans to fast-track polluting projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Other member states asked the Presidency to leave it to each EU country to decide whether tacit approval would be mandatory or optional \u2014 a measure the Cyprus Presidency is likely to adopt.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Commission would like it to be obligatory for everything, while the Presidency proposed it would be only for the final decision (of projects seeking permits),&#8221; a second EU diplomat told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>The dispute has become one of the defining political fault lines in negotiations over the EU\u2019s so-called Grids Package. In many member states, permitting decisions touch politically explosive territory \u2014 land rights, local opposition, environmental litigation and regional planning authority. <\/p>\n<p>Governments fear being blamed domestically for projects that appear to have been \u201crubber-stamped\u201d under EU pressure.<\/p>\n<p>The sensitivity is especially acute in countries where land-use planning is regarded as a core national competence, such as Austria and Germany. Negotiators are simultaneously fighting over separate provisions that would limit how broadly governments can designate areas where renewable energy projects are prohibited. <\/p>\n<h2>Sense of urgency vs national sovereignty<\/h2>\n<p>Together, the measures have fuelled accusations from some delegations that Brussels is using the energy transition to expand its reach into traditionally national spheres of power. Such a predicament leaves the Cypriot Presidency trying to broker a compromise between two increasingly incompatible pressures \u2014 the urgency argument and national sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>The Council has already demanded an \u201cambitious grids package\u201d to strengthen Europe\u2019s infrastructure resilience and accelerate permitting procedures across the bloc. EU officials have been warning that without radical acceleration, Europe\u2019s grid bottlenecks could become one of the greatest threats to industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">European Commission to open up energy infrastructure law to speed up grid permits <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>But governments stand determined to preserve national discretion over politically sensitive infrastructure decisions.<\/p>\n<p>The EU increasingly wants to synchronise coordination to deliver energy security and climate neutrality. But member states remain reluctant to surrender control over how those objectives are implemented on their own territory.<\/p>\n<p>The Cypriot Presidency of the EU is aiming to secure a general agreement at the upcoming meeting of energy ministers in Brussels on 26 June, effectively setting the Council\u2019s negotiating position ahead of more intensive talks with the European Parliament later in the year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Five countries push back against Commission&#8217;s electric grid plans<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Is the EU\u2019s Grids Package the answer to energy independence? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  European Commission to unveil \u20ac1.2 trillion plan to upgrade the EU&#8217;s electric grids, leak shows<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  competitiveness<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU Policy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Commission<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  electricity<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  renewable energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2895800-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895800\" data-cid=\"9769114\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895800-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/91\/14\/320x180_cmsv2_f5649824-02df-547d-b338-e70a935c315b-9769114.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen listens during the meeting at the Presidential palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU chief vows to stand firm against drones, disinformation campaigns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896763-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896763\" data-cid=\"9773117\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896763-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/31\/17\/320x180_cmsv2_a64f24d8-46e3-5d10-923b-5182d41536eb-9773117.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A man holds a sign depicting current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, 24 May 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896752-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896752\" data-cid=\"9773094\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896752-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/320x180_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896662-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896662\" data-cid=\"9772684\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896662-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/26\/84\/320x180_cmsv2_69e90048-10ff-5d0e-bdc0-cf14443b18fe-9772684.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Margus Tsahkna, Estonia&apos;s foreign minister.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Direct Russia talks would make EU a &#8216;neutral mediator&#8217;, Estonia warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?<br 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/30\/94\/320x180_cmsv2_e3282c8a-6180-54c4-a695-cd567942d189-9773094.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"German Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche arrives for the cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany resists EU members&#8217; push for a tougher stance on China<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896662-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896662\" data-cid=\"9772684\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896662-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/26\/84\/320x180_cmsv2_69e90048-10ff-5d0e-bdc0-cf14443b18fe-9772684.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Margus Tsahkna, Estonia&apos;s foreign minister.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Direct Russia talks would make EU a &#8216;neutral mediator&#8217;, Estonia warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896779-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896779\" data-cid=\"9773255\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896779-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/32\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_635a1549-9cb2-508c-b0ca-00fb6a49a80f-9773255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Humanitarian aid waiting to be picked up on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom aid crossing in the Gaza Strip\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Foreign aid cuts: Which countries cut spending the most in 2025?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895702-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895702\" data-cid=\"9771279\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish tourists flock to Greece as rising costs put Greeks off Turkey<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895789-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895789\" data-cid=\"9769066\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Where in Europe do households save most of their income?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896462-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896462\" data-cid=\"9771735\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Two suspected Ebola cases detected in Italy test negative<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896661-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896661\" data-cid=\"9772683\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Four dead and two injured after train hits school bus in Belgium<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896428-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896428\" data-cid=\"9771560\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These are the best countries to move to around the world<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The tacit approval of permits for new energy projects has emerged as one of the most politically explosive issues in the EU&#8217;s negotiations over the renewal of its ageing power grids, according to a document seen by Euronews.Under proposals for the EU&#8217;s new European Grids Package, certain stages of the permit process for energy infrastructure projects aimed at revamping the bloc&#8217;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 &#8220;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,&#8221; 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.Under its proposal tabled in December, the EU executive states that grid projects may receive a presumption of overriding public interest, meaning they are assumed to provide important public benefits unless proven otherwise.The measure is designed to tackle one of the EU\u2019s biggest obstacles to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 \u2014 projects trapped for years in administrative limbo.The Commission&#8217;s impact assessment, unveiled last December alongside its legislative proposal, shows that electricity projects take about 3.5\u20137.5 years for distribution grids and 7\u201310 years for transmission grids, identifying slow permitting as a key cause of delays, responsible for more than half of them.According to the proposal, if national authorities don&#8217;t act within two or three years, depending on the project&#8217;s complexity, intermediate permits or actions throughout the process are automatically deemed approved.EU leaders have been stressing the importance of revamping the bloc&#8217;s power grid as a condition for achieving its climate goals. They argue the EU can&#8217;t electrify its economy, phase out fossil fuels or compete industrially without building or upgrading grid infrastructure at unprecedented speed.The renewable energy sector is also affected, with wind farms waiting years for grid connections. Cross-border interconnectors remain stalled in the permitting process and national administrations often move too slowly to match the EU\u2019s climate targets.Power transfer?Across European capitals, governments increasingly see the proposal not as administrative streamlining, but as a quiet transfer of power from national authorities to Brussels.During behind-the-door negotiations, EU countries warned that automatic procedural approvals could create legal uncertainty, weaken environmental oversight and undermine domestic administrative systems.Several countries demanded \u201cmore flexibility\u201d in how tacit approval rules are designed, according to compromise documents circulated by the EU&#8217;s Cypriot presidency, including making silent consent non-mandatory.While countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia found the Commission&#8217;s proposal reasonable, France and Germany opposed the idea of a mandatory tacit approval of permitting and administrative decisions related to new energy projects, according to an EU official.Other member states asked the Presidency to leave it to each EU country to decide whether tacit approval would be mandatory or optional \u2014 a measure the Cyprus Presidency is likely to adopt.&#8221;The Commission would like it to be obligatory for everything, while the Presidency proposed it would be only for the final decision (of projects seeking permits),&#8221; a second EU diplomat told Euronews.The dispute has become one of the defining political fault lines in negotiations over the EU\u2019s so-called Grids Package. In many member states, permitting decisions touch politically explosive territory \u2014 land rights, local opposition, environmental litigation and regional planning authority.Governments fear being blamed domestically for projects that appear to have been \u201crubber-stamped\u201d under EU pressure.The sensitivity is especially acute in countries where land-use planning is regarded as a core national competence, such as Austria and Germany. Negotiators are simultaneously fighting over separate provisions that would limit how broadly governments can designate areas where renewable energy projects are prohibited.Sense of urgency vs national sovereigntyTogether, the measures have fuelled accusations from some delegations that Brussels is using the energy transition to expand its reach into traditionally national spheres of power. Such a predicament leaves the Cypriot Presidency trying to broker a compromise between two increasingly incompatible pressures \u2014 the urgency argument and national sovereignty.The Council has already demanded an \u201cambitious grids package\u201d to strengthen Europe\u2019s infrastructure resilience and accelerate permitting procedures across the bloc. EU officials have been warning that without radical acceleration, Europe\u2019s grid bottlenecks could become one of the greatest threats to industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation.But governments stand determined to preserve national discretion over politically sensitive infrastructure decisions.The EU increasingly wants to synchronise coordination to deliver energy security and climate neutrality. But member states remain reluctant to surrender control over how those objectives are implemented on their own territory.The Cypriot Presidency of the EU is aiming to secure a general agreement at the upcoming meeting of energy ministers in Brussels on 26 June, effectively setting the Council\u2019s negotiating position ahead of more intensive talks with the European Parliament later in the year.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/26\/exclusive-brussels-seeks-faster-grid-permits-as-capitals-fear-power-grab&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/19\/83\/1200x675_cmsv2_13bfbfbd-4473-5938-8bf0-3ab65012e26f-9771983.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Ukraine graft probes &#8216;exactly what the EU wants,&#8217; deputy PM says Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Iran Ayatollah Khamenei breaks silence to vow no US bases in the region Europe News EU chief vows to stand firm against drones, disinformation campaigns Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1956032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1956032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1956032\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1956032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1956032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1956032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}