Filenews 9 September 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The Ministry of the Interior expressed significant reservations regarding the recent law proposals that seek to amend the Regulation of Roads and Buildings Law. The proposals, which were discussed before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism on June 24, 2025, and are still being discussed today, mainly concern the automatic issuance of building and planning permits for the installation of photovoltaics and energy storage systems by businesses.
Although the Ministry appears positive in the direction of simplifying the licensing procedures for energy infrastructure, it emphasizes the need for a clear and strict framework with defined criteria, before any deviations from the existing procedure are adopted.
In particular, regarding the proposal that provides that the building permit for the installation of photovoltaic systems by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will be considered automatically issued, the Ministry points out the complete absence of critical parameters, such as the location and ownership status of the properties.
Even more intense are the reservations in relation to a proposal that provides for the automatic issuance of a license for the installation of energy storage systems and data centers in existing licensed production plants from Renewable Energy Sources. As noted, the safety and location framework of these critical facilities remains unclear, with the Fire Service and the Department of Environment having already expressed strong views in favour of imposing specific conditions for their safe operation.
The Ministry of the Interior announced that it is already in the process of issuing a relevant Decree, through which the terms and conditions under which energy storage facilities in existing RES projects will be exempted from the requirement to issue a building permit. This Decree, which was the subject of consultation, is expected to be published in September.
In conclusion, the Ministry proposes that the controversial law proposals be amended, so that the Minister of the Interior has the ability to determine through a Decree critical technical and operational parameters, such as distances from the boundaries of plots, the creation of fire zones, provisions for the installation of water wrappers and other safety requirements.
The law proposals have been submitted by MPs Kyriakos Hatzigiann, Nikos Sykas and Michalis Giakoumis, and are already in the phase of discussion article by article.
