This report is the result of a project carried out between June 2024 and May 2025 by the OECD and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO).
Our report was informed by an extensive desk-based analysis, drawing on publicly available data, reports, and official documentation. In parallel, we conducted approximately 60 interviews with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from both public institutions and private sector organisations. In addition to these activities, we also undertook the following:
Held two workshops with the attendance of:
DG REGIO, DG ENER, SolarPower Europe, Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth (Division Stragegy Energy System), European Renewable Energies Foundation (EREF), ACER, CurrENT, Euroelectric, Agora Energiewende, ICLEI Europe, University of Groningen, CAN EUROPE, Energycities, Solar Impulse, EU DSO, Regulatory Assistant Project and International Hydropower Association (IHA) on February 14th, 2025
IHA, Emanuele Quaranta (EC-JRC), The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) and EPFL on February 20th, 2025
Conducted a survey among a number of PHS operators.
Visited two regions (Algarve in Portugal and Apuglia in Italy) to better understand those regions’ and Member States’ rules and rulemaking systems at national, regional and local level;
Had discussions with the Commission Directorates-General (DGs) responsible for developing EU policies for energy (DG ENER), as well with regional policies (DG REGIO) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Consulted numerous stakeholders at different stages of the project, including:
During the research stage of the project, we met with EREF, EDSO, ACER, CurrENT, EnergieSamen, Euroelectric, SolarImpulse, Iberdrola, Resource Platform, SolarPower Europe, Agora Energiewende, WindEurope, Orsted, Professor Mark Barrett (professor of Energy and Environmental System Modelling at University College London), ICLEI Europe, Assistant Professor Niewenhout (Assistant Professor Groningen Centre of Energy Law and Sustainability), RWE, BKW, Epsilon Composite, EU DSO ENTITY, EDP Renováveis, CAN EUROPE, Energycities, Professor Jiri Biri.
While in Apuglia, we had the opportunity to meet with the following entities:
Local and regional authorities: the Head of Permitting of the Apuglia Region and ARTI Apuglia (regional innovation agency), Municipalities of Bari and of Brindisi; Environmental office of the Ministry in Apuglia and ARPA (environmental agency), ASSET - Regional Strategic Agency for Sustainable Territorial Development;
Academia: University of Salento (renewable energy department), and research teams from the University of Foggia (economics of renewables) and the Polytechnic University of Bari (spatial planning);
System operators: Terna (TSO) and e-Distribuizone (DSO in Apuglia)
Private developers: Enel, RWE and WPD, Nuovanenergia and Cofindustria (business association) in Apuglia, Distretto La Nuova Energia, AERO – Offshore Renewable Energy Association.
While in Algarve, we had the opportunity to meet with the following entities:
Local and regional authorities:
Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission,
APA Algarve (Environmental Agency)
Municipalities of Portimão, Faro, Loulé
Three infrastructure managing companies (municipal companies) involved in floating and car park solar installations (Inframoura, Infralobo, Infraquinta)
Rolear (private energy services group)
Neoen (French private developer of a new solar park in Portimão)
Academia: University of Algarve