Permitting for net-zero projects
If your business is planning to build or expand a facility that manufactures clean technologies, such as batteries, solar panels or wind turbines in the EU, you may need permits. Some of these projects may qualify for strategic project status which means faster permitting procedures, access to support services and help in identifying funding opportunities.
What is a net-zero project?
A net-zero project is an industrial or manufacturing project that:
- produces technologies that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (e.g. batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps), or
- helps scale up the production and deployment of these technologies in Europe
Examples include:
- building or expanding clean-tech facilities
- manufacturing equipment for renewable energy, energy storage, carbon capture, or electricity grids
- developing supply chains for key net-zero technologies
Warning
This page focuses on manufacturing projects. Projects that generate renewable energy or operate energy infrastructure may be subject to other permitting rules.What types of permits are needed?
Most projects require permits because they involve building, expanding or operating industrial facilities and infrastructure needed to produce net-zero technologies.
Depending on your project, you may need:
- planning and construction approvals
- environmental permits (e.g. emissions, noise, impact assessments)
- energy-related approvals (e.g. permission to connect to the electricity grid or to generate electricity)
- permits for modifying or operating industrial installations
How the permitting process works
Permits are issued at national level (and sometimes at regional or local level). To move your project forward, you should contact the Single Point of Contact (SPC) for permitting in your EU country. Your national SPC is there to guide you through the permitting process.
The SPC:
- acts as the main administrative interface
- indicates which permits apply to your project
- explains procedures and timelines for environmental, construction and energy approvals
- helps coordinate the authorities involved in issuing different permits and approvals
Find your national net-zero Single Point of Contact.
Sample story
Building a solar panel manufacturing facility
A small company in Portugal plans to build a facility to manufacture solar panels. Before construction can begin, the company will need various permits. This could include planning permission, environmental approvals and permission to connect the facility to the electricity grid. The company contacts its national Single Point of Contact (SPC), which explains which permits are required, identifies the authorities involved and guides the company through the permitting process.
What is a strategic net-zero project?
Certain net-zero projects may be considered vital for the EU's clean technology industry. These projects can be designated by a national authority as "strategic net-zero projects"and benefit from priority status.
Strategic net-zero projects can benefit from:
- rapid administrative treatment and faster permitting (generally between 9 and 18 months)
- EU level support through the Net-Zero Europe Platform, including financing advice
- urgent treatment in judicial and dispute resolution procedures
- streamlined environmental assessment procedures
To qualify, your project must involve
- net-zero technology manufacturing
- CO₂ capture and storage or
- infrastructure for transporting captured CO₂
It must also clearly meet at least one of the following criteria:
- strengthen EU manufacturing capacity for net-zero technologies
- reduce dependency on imports for net-zero technologies
- improve environmental sustainability or reduce emissions
How to apply
If you want your project to be recognised as a strategic project, different application procedures apply depending on the type of project and the support it already receives.
In most cases, you will need to complete and submit the standard application form provided by the European Commission. In certain situations, a simplified procedure may apply.
Standard application procedure
Prepare your application
You will need to:
- describe your project (location, technology, stage of development)
- explain how it contributes to the EU’s net-zero objectives
- outline the expected industrial and climate impact of the project
- provide evidence that it meets the criteria for strategic projects
For most applications, you also need to provide:
- a business plan outlining the financial viability
- an indicative project timeline
- supporting documents
Submit your application
To submit your application, you must first create an EU Login account and complete the online application form available on the Commission’s strategic net-zero projects webpage.
Once the application is ready, you can submit it through the Commission's secure platform to the relevant EU country for assessment.
Wait for the assessment
- Your application is first checked for completeness
- The EU country where the project is located assesses the application
- You should receive a decision within one month after your application is considered complete
If your application is rejected
If your application is rejected, you may ask the European Commission to assess the project. The Commission’s assessment does not replace the EU country’s decision but may provide additional guidance or support.
Further information, application forms and guidance are available on the Commission’s strategic net-zero projects webpage.
Simplified procedure
Some projects may qualify for a simplified procedure. This may apply where a project has already been assessed under certain EU funding programmes or strategic initiatives. It may also apply to certain net-zero technology manufacturing projects located in less developed or transition regions.
Instead of submitting the full application package, you may submit a written request form through the same EU application system.
Examples may include projects supported through:
- the Innovation Fund
- Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI)
- the European Hydrogen Bank
- the Just Transition Fund
- other eligible EU industrial or clean-tech initiatives
Further information, application forms and guidance are available on the Commission’s strategic net-zero projects webpage.
Funding and support
Net-zero projects benefit from a wide range of funding, financing and support measures which can be found through the Net-Zero Navigator.
This tool helps you identify:
- relevant EU and national funding sources
- advisory services
- project-development support