The Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) aims to raise the EU’s renewable energy share to at least 42.5% by 2030 and was amended in November 2023 to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects across EU Member States. Key elements include the coordinated identification of suitable areas for renewable energy and infrastructure and the designation of Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAA).

While the Directive prioritises speed, a growing concern is that rapid implementation may come at the expense of environmental protection and public participation. Spatial planning is therefore central to navigating the fine line between fast expansion and high environmental and social standards.

The ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association and the Stuttgart Region invite experts and interested stakeholders from science, administration and policy to exchange on current challenges and opportunities in implementing RED III, with a particular focus on onshore wind expansion. 

The event brings together experts from different countries to share practical experiences, compare national approaches, and discuss diverse implementation practices. Participants will gain both a cross-country overview and in-depth insights into Germany and the Netherlands, showcasing different regional approaches to implementing the Directive.

AGENDA 

11:00 | Registration 

11:30 | Opening Bodo Lehmann (Head of Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the EU) 

11:35 | Welcome Axel Priebs (President of the ARL) 

11:40 | Aims and objectives of the RED III Directive Marta Andrés Vaquero (Legal and Policy Officer at Unit C1 (Renewables and Energy System Integration Policy) of DG ENER)

11:55 | Comparative approach to the designation of RAA in different EU countries Flore Belin (Renewable Energy Policy Coordinator at Climate Action Network Europe) 

12:10 | Designation of RAA in the Stuttgart Region Thomas Kiwitt (Technical Director at Stuttgart Region Association) 

12:25 | Bottom-up approach of RAA in North-Holland Pierre Kas (Policy Advisor Energy Transition, Province of North-Holland) 

12:40 | Panel discussion 

13:00 | Networking Lunch

The registration is available here.