The Verkhovna Rada website has published draft Law No. 14271 of December 3, 2025, on changes to legislation in the field of renewable energy. The purpose of this document is to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the European Union’s acquis (mandatory EU rules and regulations that must be adopted and enforced by member states and candidate countries), in particular Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II), as well as to prepare for further harmonization with RED III.
The draft law envisions the implementation of European Union legislation in the field of renewable energy sources, in particular with regard to:
— introduction of criteria for sustainability and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, biofuels, bioliquids, and biomass fuels, and compliance with them;
— identification of the necessary secondary legislation to be developed at the level of subordinate regulatory acts after the approval of the draft act for further implementation of the European Union acquis communautaire, in particular the provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the relevant delegated and implementing regulations.
To the Law of Ukraine “On Alternative Energy Sources,” a provision is being added that all approval procedures for planning, new construction, or reconstruction of renewable energy facilities and/or energy storage facilities are considered to be of overriding public interest in achieving climate neutrality. However, this is possible only if all necessary measures are taken to avoid or minimize significant negative impacts on the environment in each individual case.
The new version retains the definition of areas for accelerated development of renewable energy sources. These are specially designated areas where renewable energy can be developed more quickly thanks to the establishment of time frames. They are important because they allow RES (renewable energy sources) projects to be built in environmentally and technically suitable locations, reducing risks to the environment and conflicts with communities.
In such territories, the duration of all licensing procedures should not exceed 12 months (24 months for offshore wind energy). Outside these zones, the duration should not exceed 24 months (36 months for offshore projects). This creates conditions for faster development of clean energy, but does not eliminate environmental guarantees.
We highlight that the key element remains the issue of defining and applying clear environmental criteria for areas of accelerated RES development. These criteria must ensure that valuable natural areas with unique landscapes and high biodiversity are excluded from areas of accelerated RES development. Proper implementation of the provisions should prevent the implementation of destructive projects similar to those planned for the Runa mountain pasture or the Svidovets ridge within these territories.
The procedure for determining such zones must undergo open and transparent public discussion before its approval, because it is at this stage that the inclusion of the above-mentioned areas of high environmental value can be prevented. This approach will allow the opinions of the environmental community and interested members of the public to be taken into account.
The draft law also strengthens the role of consumers and small producers, establishes non-discriminatory rules for energy communities and the development of distributed energy technologies.
We would like to thank the representatives of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and others involved in the development of the document who listened to the public’s position and took into account the proposals of the Ecoclub.
Along with the removal of risky provisions, a number of proposals relating to the development of distributed generation were also taken into account, namely:
— The definition of “renewable energy project” has been expanded and legally clarified.
— The definition of “renewable energy community” has been clarified by linking it to the boundaries of the territorial community, which increases legal certainty and simplifies membership verification.
— The definition of “consumer of renewable energy from own production” has been improved: the link to the status of “active consumer,” which created additional risks, has been removed.
— The list of information that must be included in the procedural manual for the implementation of renewable energy projects has been expanded to include environmental, urban planning, and licensing requirements.
Ecoclub will continue to make efforts to ensure that the development of renewable energy in Ukraine proceeds rapidly, transparently, and on the basis of environmental sustainability.