EU Renewable Energy Directive, Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III)

On October 18, 2023, the European Union (EU) adopted an amendment of the Renewable Energy Directive, (EU) 2023/2413 (European Parliament and Council, 2023), which is commonly referred to as “RED III”. This Directive amends several existing EU laws to enhance the promotion of renewable energy. This directive is part of the EU’s broader strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and to meet the intermediate target of at least 42.5% renewable energy in the EU’s gross final energy consumption by 2030, with an aspirational target of 45%. 

The directive must be transposed into Member State’s national law within 18 months after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The targets for 2030 are increased compared to the renewable energy directive (EU) 2018/2001 (aka RED II).  

The new targets are needed to achieve the European Green Deal, regulation (EU) 2021/1119, that set an interim target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. The energy sector currently accounts for about 75% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable energy plays a fundamental role in achieving the EU Green Deal objectives for reducing these emissions.