By way of derogation from Article 2(1) and Article 4(2) of and Annex I, point 20, and Annex II, point (3)(b), to Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (
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), and by way of derogation from Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, Member States may, under justified circumstances, including where needed to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in order to achieve the climate and renewable energy targets, exempt grid and storage projects which are necessary to integrate renewable energy into the electricity system from the environmental impact assessment pursuant to Article 2(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU, from an assessment of their implications for Natura 2000 sites pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC and from the assessment of their implications on species protection pursuant to Article 12(1) of Directive 92/43/EEC and to Article 5 of Directive 2009/147/EC, provided that the grid or storage project is located in a dedicated infrastructure area designated in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article and that it complies with the rules established, including on proportionate mitigation measures to be adopted, in accordance with paragraph 1, point (e), of this Article. Member States may also grant such exemptions in relation to infrastructure areas designated before 20 November 2023 if they were subject to an environmental assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC. Such derogations shall not apply to projects that are likely to have significant effects on the environment in another Member State or where a Member State likely to be significantly affected so requests, as provided for in Article 7 of Directive 2011/92/EU.