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2. Where an environmental assessment is required pursuant to Directive 2011/92/EU or 92/43/EEC, it shall be carried out in a single procedure that combines all relevant assessments for a given renewable energy project. When any such environmental impact assessment is required, the competent authority, taking into account the information provided by the project developer, shall issue an opinion on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included by the project developer in the environmental impact assessment report, of which the scope shall not be extended subsequently. Where a renewable energy project has adopted necessary mitigation measures, any killing or disturbance of the species protected under Article 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC and Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC shall not be considered to be deliberate. Where novel mitigation measures to prevent as much as possible the killing or disturbance of species protected under Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, or any other environmental impact, have not been widely tested as regards their effectiveness, Member States may allow their use for one or several pilot projects for a limited time period, provided that the effectiveness of such mitigation measures is closely monitored and appropriate steps are taken immediately if they do not prove to be effective.

The permit-granting procedure for the repowering of renewable energy power plants, for new installations with an electrical capacity of less than 150 kW and for co-located energy storage, as well as for the connection of such plants, installations and storage to the grid, located outside renewables acceleration areas shall not exceed 12 months, including with regard to environmental assessments where required by the relevant law. However, in the case of offshore renewable energy projects, the permit-granting procedure shall not exceed two years. Where duly justified on the ground of extraordinary circumstances, Member States may extend either of those periods by up to three months. Member States shall inform the project developer clearly of the extraordinary circumstances that justify such an extension.

1. Member States shall ensure that the permit-granting procedure referred to in Article 16(1) shall not exceed two years for renewable energy projects located outside renewables acceleration areas. However, in the case of offshore renewable energy projects, the permit-granting procedure shall not exceed three years. Where duly justified on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances, including where they require extended periods needed for assessments under applicable Union environmental law, Member States may extend either of those periods by up to six months. Member States shall inform the project developer clearly of the extraordinary circumstances that justify such an extension.