The Energy Community has presented an approach to establishing Renewables Acceleration Areas

The Energy Community has presented an approach to establishing Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs) — zones for the accelerated development of renewable energy aimed at significantly speeding up Europe’s clean energy transition.

Ukraine is among the key countries.

As part of new spatial mapping, low-conflict areas suitable for the deployment of wind and solar energy facilities have already been identified in five western regions: Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Vinnytsia.

The RAA criteria, developed by the Energy Community Secretariat with the support of the European Climate Foundation, are designed to:

– overcome complex and fragmented permitting procedures;

– reduce risks for investors;

– safeguard sensitive ecosystems;

– prioritise industrial sites, degraded land, brownfields, and building rooftops.

Importantly, this approach is aligned with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and lays the foundation for cross-border cooperation with the EU and Moldova.

For coal communities, this is more than energy planning. It means:

– new investment opportunities;

– job creation and economic diversification;

– a practical tool for the just transition of regions.

The Association of Coal Communities of Ukraine is following the implementation of this approach and supports initiatives that open pathways for sustainable development, European integration, and clean energy for our communities. This transition requires speed, coordination, and clear rules — and RAAs have the potential to deliver exactly that.