Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission answers published between Monday, 02 February 2026, and Sunday, 08 February 2026. Key themes this week include the implementation and financing of the green transition, with a focus on renewable energy sources like wind and solar, the resilience of energy grids, and the regulatory framework governing building efficiency and industrial competitiveness. Other significant topics include the EU’s financing mechanisms such as the MFF and Innovation Fund, the integrity of the environmental acquis, and energy security concerns related to sanctions on Russia and the protection of critical infrastructure. In total, this briefing analyses 30 documents. Of these, 15 have received a response from the Commission, while 15 remain pending.
❗ Commission Outlines Support for EU Wind Industry Amid Global Competition
In response to a query regarding the competitiveness of the European wind industry, documented in E-004196/25, Commissioner Jørgensen stated on 04 February 2026 that replacing fossil fuels with renewables like wind is crucial for the EU’s strategic autonomy and climate targets. The Commission highlighted that the share of renewables in the EU’s energy mix has doubled since 2009, and wind is the cheapest source of renewable electricity globally. To address challenges like competition from third countries, the Commission pointed to the implementation of the European Wind Power Action Plan, support from the European Investment Bank, and the Net-Zero Industry Act to scale up clean technology manufacturing.
❗ Commission Clarifies Solar Energy Obligations under Buildings Directive
In a response published as E-004373/25, Commissioner Jørgensen on 05 February 2026 addressed the implementation of solar energy obligations under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The Commission confirmed that the EPBD mandates the installation of solar energy equipment (photovoltaic, thermal, or combined) on certain building categories. However, it also provides flexibility for Member States to grant exemptions based on technical, economic, or functional feasibility. The guidance recommends that grid-related concerns should not lead to automatic exemptions; instead, solutions like self-consumption, energy storage, or energy sharing should be considered first.
❓ MEP Calls for Stricter Ecodesign Rules for Solid Fuel Heating
In question E-000364/2026 submitted on 28 January 2026, Martin Günther (The Left) raises concerns about air pollution from residential wood and coal burning, which accounts for 62% of EU fine particulate matter emissions. The MEP asks if the Commission will mandate the best available technologies like precipitators in revised ecodesign regulations, establish limits for black carbon and ultrafine particles, and introduce comprehensive real-world testing to close the gap between laboratory and actual emissions. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEP Queries Resilience of Greek Grids Amid Recurrent Power Cuts
MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D) submitted question E-000133/2026 on 14 January 2026 concerning recurrent power cuts in mountainous communities of Arta and the Acheloos valley in Greece. Citing the obsolescence of the electricity grid, the MEP asked the Commission how it assesses the adequacy and resilience of networks in Greece’s mountainous regions in the context of climate change, and whether it intends to encourage Member States to include rural energy security in strategies to combat desertification and population decline. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEP Seeks Clarity on ‘Terzo Valico dei Giovi’ Rail Project Funding
Brando Benifei (S&D) on 28 January 2026 submitted question E-000339/2026 regarding the state of the ‘Terzo Valico dei Giovi’ railway project, part of the TEN-T Rhine-Alpine Corridor and funded under Italy’s NRRP. Highlighting low payout rates and uncertainty over financial coverage for a key section, the MEP asks the Commission for up-to-date information on the project’s progress and whether its current framework is consistent with NRRP targets, territorial cohesion, and environmental sustainability objectives. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Role of Ports in Military Mobility and TEN-T Network Questioned
In question E-000311/2026 of 27 January 2026, Merja Kyllönen (The Left) notes that the TEN-T network does not sufficiently account for the role of ports in security of supply or military mobility, particularly in Finland. The MEP asks if the Commission will reassess the list of TEN-T ports to better recognise their geostrategic importance, how it will ensure essential ports are eligible for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding even if outside the core network, and if it will give more consideration to security of supply in EU transport policy. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Details Sustainable Energy Funding in MFF 2021-2027
Responding to a query about financial support for sustainable energy, Commissioner Jørgensen provided a breakdown of committed funds in the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in answer E-003573/25 on 05 February 2026. Key commitments for sustainable energy include €3.43 billion from CEF Energy, €45 billion from Cohesion policy funds, and €64 billion from the RRF. The Commission also noted that the estimated average annual energy-related investment needed to reach EU climate targets is €680 billion for the 2028-2034 period, with €85 billion per year required for grid infrastructure alone.
❗ Commission Reports on Dutch Success in Innovation and Research Funding
In answer E-004767/2025 on 06 February 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra provided data on Dutch participation in EU funding programmes. For the Innovation Fund, there have been 119 applications with a 16% success rate. In Horizon Europe, over 22,000 eligible proposals yielded a 21% success rate, with 825 unique Dutch SMEs receiving nearly €800 million. The Commission stated that feedback indicates no major concerns from SMEs about administrative costs and that efforts are underway to simplify processes, such as using lump sums to reduce reporting burdens.
❗ Commission Amends State Aid Guidelines for Energy-Intensive Industries
Executive Vice-President Ribera confirmed in answer E-004318/2025 on 02 February 2026 that the Commission amended State aid guidelines for indirect cost compensation on 23 December 2025. The amendment allows Member States to compensate a share of electricity-related carbon costs for electro-intensive industries at risk of carbon leakage, addressing the sustained rise of EU ETS emission costs. The Commission stated this will contribute to the competitiveness of EU industry while incentivising decarbonisation, and that Member States are not obliged to use ETS auction revenues for these schemes.
❓ MEP Questions Accountability of Proposed European Competitiveness Fund
Piotr Müller (ECR) submitted question E-000252/2026 on 22 January 2026 regarding the proposed European Competitiveness Fund. Citing a European Court of Auditors opinion that highlights imprecise definitions and a lack of independent verification, the MEP asks the Commission for the specific criteria to define EU added value, how it will ensure reliable verification of fund use, and what mechanisms will prevent overlap with other EU instruments. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEP Raises Issue of Electricity Theft Costs in Greece
In question E-000348/2026 submitted on 28 January 2026, Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D) highlights reports of widespread electricity theft in Greece, the cost of which is allegedly passed on to honest consumers. The MEP asks how the Commission assesses this practice in light of EU consumer protection law, whether arbitrary charges by the network operator are compatible with EU law, and if the Commission will request information from Greece to ensure tackling theft does not unfairly burden consumers. A response from the Commission is pending.
Energy Efficiency & Buildings
❗ Commission Prioritises Implementation of Buildings Directive
In answer E-004497/25 on 04 February 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Commission’s priority is the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and supporting Member States in its transposition by the May 2026 deadline. The Commission published guidance in June 2025 to support this process and will continue to assess potential barriers to implementation while remaining open to dialogue with national authorities and stakeholders to clarify the directive’s provisions.
❗ Commission Details Support for Greece’s ‘Exoikonomo’ Renovation Programme
On 05 February 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen provided details in answer E-004562/25 on Greece’s ‘Exoikonomo’ programme, which supports energy upgrades of households and buildings. The ‘Exoikonomo 2025’ iteration is supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility and aims to renovate at least 11,500 homes. The Commission noted that the programme includes specific incentives for vulnerable households and those affected by natural disasters, in the form of increased grants and an earmarked budget.
❓ MEP Questions EU Role in National Housing and Renovation Policies
Mathilde Androuët (PfE) submitted question E-000283/2026 on 26 January 2026, challenging the EU’s role in national housing policy. The MEP asks why the Commission seeks to harmonise energy certificates, how it will prevent the social risks of mandatory renovation plans such as ‘renovictions’, and why it favors a punitive carbon market mechanism over direct state support for renovations. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEP Seeks Data on Evictions and Impact of EU Energy Policy on Housing Costs
In question E-000365/2026 submitted on 29 January 2026, Gerald Hauser (PfE) asks the Commission for EU-wide comparable data on evictions and its plans for standardised monitoring. The MEP also requests a breakdown of EU funds disbursed since 2021 to address the housing crisis and prevent evictions, and an assessment of how EU energy and climate policy requirements are impacting construction costs, supply shortages, and rent levels. A response from the Commission is pending.
Green Deal & Environmental Acquis
❓ MEP Seeks Guarantees Against Weakening of EU Environmental Law
César Luena (S&D) on 04 February 2026 submitted priority question P-000447/2026, expressing concern over recent political priorities adopted by the EPP that he claims reorientate the Green Deal and could weaken key legislation. The MEP asks the Commission to reaffirm its commitment to not weaken laws like the Nature Restoration Law and Habitats Directive, to guarantee that evaluations of the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives will not scale back ambitions, and to uphold the principle of non-regression in environmental standards. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Confirms Review of Water Framework Directive by 2026
In a response from 02 February 2026 (E-004682/2025), Commissioner Roswall confirmed the Commission’s commitment to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as a cornerstone of the EU’s water resilience agenda. While the WFD was not included in the recent environmental omnibus proposal for simplification, the Commission announced it will review and revise the directive by the second quarter of 2026. This review will focus on simplification and addressing bottlenecks to promote circularity and access to critical raw materials while protecting the environment.
Other Governance Issues
❗ Commission Addresses Fraud Allegations and Gender Equality in EU-Funded Projects
Responding to a query about allegations of fraud in renewable energy projects on 03 February 2026 (E-003671/2025), Commissioner Serafin stated the Commission could not comment on individual cases potentially under investigation by OLAF or EPPO. The Commission did, however, confirm it is actively pursuing measures to ensure equitable access for women entrepreneurs to EU-funded projects, as outlined in the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, through gender mainstreaming and targeted empowerment initiatives.
❗ Commission Outlines Enforcement of Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
On 06 February 2026, in answer E-004768/2025, Commissioner McGrath explained the enforcement mechanisms for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Compliance will be enforced by independent national supervisory authorities, coordinated by a European Network. The directive provides for victims’ right to full compensation and facilitates access to justice. It also includes safeguards for activists and whistle-blowers, with further protection granted under the Whistleblower Protection Directive. The CSDDD will start to apply in July 2029.
❗ Commission Clarifies Rules for EU Solidarity Fund and RRF Use in Greece
In response E-004917/2025 on 05 February 2026, Executive Vice-President Fitto clarified that Greece can activate the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) for natural disasters within 12 weeks if damage exceeds set thresholds. The Commission also noted that Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) invests in anti-flood projects, and the plan was recently revised to add a new measure to more comprehensively respond to natural disasters, including the 2023 Thessaly floods.
Hydrogen & Power-to-X
❗ Commission Clarifies Role of Nuclear-Based Fuels in ReFuelEU Aviation
In a detailed response on 04 February 2026 (E-004638/2025), Commissioner Jørgensen clarified the eligibility criteria for transport fuels under EU legislation. While synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF) must be derived from renewable sources (RFNBOs), thereby excluding nuclear energy, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation allows targets to also be met by ‘synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels’. This category includes fuels produced from non-renewable electricity, such as nuclear power, provided they achieve 70% greenhouse gas emission savings compared to fossil fuels.
Industrial Competitiveness & Trade
❓ MEP Questions Impact of EU Green Policy on Electric Vehicle Prices
Piotr Müller (ECR) asks in question E-000253/2026, submitted on 22 January 2026, how the Commission assesses the impact of its own regulatory policies, like the Green Deal and emissions standards, on the rising cost of vehicles manufactured in the EU. The MEP queries what specific measures, beyond trade defence, the Commission will take to reduce vehicle prices by lowering regulatory burdens and whether it plans to return to a policy of technological neutrality in transport. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEPs Seek Protection for Ceramics Industry in EU-India Trade Deal
In question E-000356/2026 from 28 January 2026, Leire Pajín (S&D) and Sandra Gómez López (S&D) express concern that the EU-India trade agreement does not include sufficient protections for the EU ceramics sector. They ask what specific measures the Commission envisages to protect the industry, such as transitional periods or quotas, to ensure it can benefit from trade openness without compromising its competitiveness, sustainability, or employment. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEP Warns of Deindustrialisation Risk from EU-India Trade Agreement
Concerns about the ongoing EU-India free trade agreement negotiations were raised by Piotr Müller (ECR) on 21 January 2026 in question E-000235/2026. The MEP highlights the risk of flooding the EU market with cheap goods from India’s expanding high-emission sectors, threatening Europe’s energy-intensive industries. He asks what sectoral safeguards the Commission will incorporate, how it assesses the agreement’s impact on industrial competitiveness, and for an update on the negotiations. A response from the Commission is pending.
Digital Sovereignty
❓ MEP Inquires About EU’s Digital Sovereignty and Cloud Infrastructure
Katri Kulmuni (Renew) submitted question E-000349/2026 on 28 January 2026, raising concerns about the EU’s reliance on US tech companies for cloud services and operating systems. The MEP asks if the EU should build a common, fully European cloud infrastructure to ensure independence, whether the Commission has estimates of how much EU institutions pay US cloud companies, and what practical steps the Commission will take to develop European cloud services and reduce dependence on non-EU operators. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Affirms Sanctions on Refined Oil Products from Russian Crude
In answer E-004675/2025 on 02 February 2026, Commissioner Albuquerque confirmed that a new EU ban on imports of refined oil products produced in third countries using Russian crude oil took effect on 21 January 2026. The Commission has published guidance requiring operators importing from third countries like Georgia to exercise enhanced due diligence. The Commission noted that as a candidate country, Georgia is under heightened scrutiny regarding its alignment with EU restrictive measures, and any new sanctions must be decided unanimously by the Council.
❗ EU Taking Action Against Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’
On 03 February 2026, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas responded to concerns about Russia’s shadow fleet in answer E-004107/2025. The EU has imposed a port access ban and service restrictions on 597 vessels and sanctioned several actors supporting the fleet. The EU is engaged in discussions with partners like the G7 to prepare further measures and is conducting outreach to flag states. The HR/VP has appointed a coordinator on the shadow fleet, and verification of marine insurance is being addressed at the IMO and EU levels.
❓ MEP Questions Commission Stance on Alleged Ukrainian Attacks on EU Energy Infrastructure
András Gyürk (PfE) submitted question E-000184/2026 on 16 January 2026, citing a German Federal Court of Justice announcement suggesting Ukraine may have been behind the Nord Stream pipeline attack. The MEP asks if the Commission is ready to take a decisive stance on what he terms systematic Ukrainian attacks on EU energy infrastructure, whether these actions are in line with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, and if the Commission will reconsider financial support to Ukraine. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Confirms No Misappropriation of EU Funds in Ukraine
In a response on 06 February 2026 (E-004737/2025), Commissioner Kos stated that while the Commission closely monitors corruption allegations in Ukraine, there are no confirmed cases of EU funding being misappropriated. The Commission outlined that all financial support is subject to anti-fraud measures and controls, with provisions allowing for investigations by OLAF, EPPO, and the European Court of Auditors. For the Ukraine Facility, an independent Audit Board provides oversight.
❓ MEP Questions Prioritisation of EU Funds in Honduras
In question E-000105/2026 from 13 January 2026, Jorge Martín Frías (PfE) queries the allocation of EU funds for Honduras. The MEP notes that despite the Commission’s own assessment of systemic corruption and a rule of law crisis, the largest share of funding (45%) is allocated to climate policies, while strengthening the rule of law receives only 20.7%. He asks why the Commission has not given top priority to the rule of law and on what criteria the distribution was based. A response from the Commission is pending.
