Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions (PQs) published between 03.05.2026 and 10.05.2026. A total of 29 PQs are included in this briefing, of which 22 have been answered by the European Commission and 7 remain pending. The key themes dominating the agenda include the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the stability and expansion of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), grid infrastructure and interconnection projects, industrial decarbonisation, and ongoing energy security concerns related to the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels.
❗ Certification of Biofuels and Biogas
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000752/2026 addresses the certification framework for biofuels and biogas derived from intermediate crops under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed the Commission’s commitment to minimising administrative burdens and announced that a draft Implementing Regulation detailing certification rules will be published for public feedback, with adoption expected by the end of 2026.
❗ Equivalence of Labels and RED III Certification
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000746/2026 questions whether existing sustainability labels can be considered equivalent to RED III certification. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen clarified that while labels can facilitate the process, full equivalence requires the label’s criteria, methodology, and processes to perfectly match those established under RED III.
❗ Solar Power Projects in Natura 2000 Areas
Submitted on 2 March 2026 by Dolors Montserrat (PPE) and Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE), E-000855/2026 & E-000857/2026 raise concerns over a high-capacity solar power plant in Alcántara, Spain, allegedly authorised in breach of the Habitats and Birds Directives, and question the role of former Minister Teresa Ribera. In a joint response on 4 May 2026, Commissioner Roswall stated that the Commission is not investigating the matter, noting that Member States are primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with EU law and confirming that the project did not receive European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support.
❗ Use of Congestion Income for Grid Investments
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000613/2026 concerns the proposed revision of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation and the use of congestion income. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen explained that 25% of remaining congestion income will be reserved for Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) only after priority obligations are met, maintaining that funds remain nationally managed.
❗ Kemijoki Hydro-Pumped Storage Project
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000904/2026 questions the inclusion of the Kemijoki hydro-pumped electricity storage project in Finland on the PCI/PMI list. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed the project meets cross-border impact criteria due to its size and regional balancing potential, noting that environmental impacts are assessed separately during national permitting processes.
❗ Electricity Interconnections in Cyprus
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000627/2026 addresses a potential electricity interconnection between Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot Community. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen noted the Commission’s concerns, clarified the project cannot receive EU funding, and reaffirmed support for the Great Sea Interconnector between Greece and Cyprus.
❓ State Aid for Rostock-Schwedt Pipeline
Submitted on 6 May 2026 by Fabio De Masi (NI), P-001865/2026 asks when the Commission will grant State aid approval for a EUR 400 million upgrade to the pipeline connecting Rostock to the PCK refinery in Schwedt, citing urgent regional energy security needs. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ State Aid for Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant
Submitted on 30 April 2026 by Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE), P-001775/2026 challenges the Commission’s in-depth investigation into State aid for refurbishing Reactor 1 at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, warning of risks to Romania’s energy security and trade balance. A response from the Commission is pending.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
❓ SMRs and Conflicts of Interest
Submitted on 28 April 2026 by Anja Arndt (ESN), E-001731/2026 asks the Commission to assess potential conflicts of interest regarding private investors and philanthropists, such as Breakthrough Energy and TerraPower, utilising EU funds for SMRs while engaging in policy advice. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ EU Support for SMR Projects
Submitted on 28 April 2026 by Anja Arndt (ESN), E-001728/2026 questions whether the Commission intends to support SMR projects through EU instruments like the Innovation Fund or InvestEU, and asks for the specific eligibility criteria. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Electricity Market Functioning and Generation Prioritisation
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000671/2026 inquires about the prioritisation of generation types in the EU electricity market. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the market does not prioritise specific generation types but ensures the cheapest available assets meet demand, while Member States retain sovereignty over their energy mix.
❗ Rising CO2 Emission Allowance Prices
Submitted on 11 February 2026 by Stanisław Tyszka (ESN), E-000604/2026 highlights the impact of high EU ETS allowance prices on Polish households and asks if the Commission will suspend the system or adjust the Article 29a stabilisation mechanism. In a response on 4 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra confirmed there are no plans to suspend the ETS, noting that the Market Stability Reserve is being strengthened and that the Social Climate Fund will support vulnerable households under ETS2.
❗ ETS Cross-Sectoral Correction Factor (CSCF)
Submitted on 9 March 2026 by Adam Jarubas (PPE), P-000955/2026 requests an update on the determination of the CSCF for the 2026-2030 ETS allocation period. In a response on 4 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra explained that the CSCF can only be calculated after the ETS benchmark regulation is adopted, which is planned for the second quarter of 2026.
❓ Coordinated EU Response to Energy Prices
Submitted on 15 April 2026 by Ştefan Muşoiu (S&D), P-001544/2026 calls for a coordinated pan-EU response to rising energy prices driven by Middle East conflicts and asks if the Commission plans to introduce mechanisms to protect vulnerable segments of society. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ ETS Burdens on Sicilian Freight Transport
Submitted on 29 April 2026 by Giuseppe Antoci (The Left), E-001763/2026 highlights protests by Sicilian road hauliers over rising energy costs and ETS burdens, asking if cohesion funds will be used to support island logistics. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EPBD and Primary Energy Factors
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), P-001059/2026 asks about the calculation of energy performance under the recast EPBD. In a response on 7 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen clarified that the EPBD provides flexibility for Member States to decide on their national energy mix and the most efficient use of resources, without prescribing specific technologies like waste incineration.
❗ EPBD and Affordable Housing
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000738/2026 questions the impact of the EPBD on housing supply and vulnerable households. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen noted that the EPBD will help reduce energy bills for vulnerable households and highlighted EU funding available for renovations, alongside the European Affordable Housing Plan.
❗ EPBD Infringement Procedures
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-001085/2026 addresses the implementation of National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs). In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed that the Commission opened infringement procedures against Italy and 18 other Member States on 11 March 2026 for failing to submit their draft NBRPs by the end of 2025.
❗ Harmonisation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000283/2026 asks about the harmonisation of EPCs under the EPBD. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the EPBD aims to make EPCs more comparable but does not propose full harmonisation, allowing Member States flexibility to adopt tailored rules and social safeguards.
❗ Hydropower Projects and the EIA Directive
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000871/2026 concerns the environmental assessment of a hydropower project affecting Italy’s Campolattaro reservoir. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Roswall explained that under the EIA Directive, environmental assessments must be updated if the state of the environment changes before development consent is granted.
❗ Industrial Accelerator Act and Regulatory Complexity
Submitted on 18 March 2026 by Fulvio Martusciello (PPE), E-001101/2026 questions whether the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act risks adding regulatory complexity for EU industry. In a response on 4 May 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné asserted that the proposal is targeted, builds on existing frameworks, and includes measures like simplified permitting and a ‘one project-one procedure’ approach to reduce administrative burdens.
❗ Environmental Standards for Data Centres
Submitted on 4 March 2026 by Piotr Müller (ECR), E-000912/2026 raises concerns that binding environmental standards for data centres could drive AI infrastructure investments outside the EU. In a response on 4 May 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen countered that colocation data centres plan to invest over EUR 26 billion by 2030, and highlighted the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act to boost capacity.
❗ Digital Battery Passport Timeline
Submitted on 4 March 2026 by Hildegard Bentele (PPE), E-000888/2026 asks if the February 2027 application date for the digital battery passport remains feasible. In a response on 4 May 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné confirmed that harmonised standards are progressing and a first version of the registry will be operational by July 2026.
❗ Switchgear Supply and F-gas Regulation
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), P-001442/2026 addresses the supply of switchgear essential for the power system. In a response on 5 May 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that the F-gas Regulation provides regulatory certainty, with restrictions for high voltage equipment above 145 kV only starting in 2032.
❗ Fertiliser Availability and the Nitrates Directive
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), P-001423/2026 asks about measures to ensure fertiliser availability. In a response on 6 May 2026, Commissioner Roswall announced an upcoming fertiliser action plan for 2026 and noted ongoing evaluations of the Nitrates Directive alongside targeted CBAM measures.
❗ Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000184/2026 concerns the impact of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the Druzhba pipeline. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen condemned the attacks and highlighted the Commission’s cooperation with Hungary and Slovakia to manage oil supply disruptions.
❗ Nord Stream Pipeline Status
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP details and submission date not provided in the source document), E-000892/2026 asks about potential talks to restart the Nord Stream pipeline. In a response on 8 May 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated the Commission is unaware of any such talks, emphasising the EU’s goal to phase out Russian gas by 2027 and noting sanctions banning transactions related to the pipeline.
❓ Energy Poverty Among Greek Islanders
Submitted on 28 April 2026 by Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI), E-001724/2026 criticises the impact of the EU’s green electricity plans, the phase-out of lignite, and sanctions on Russian gas, arguing they exacerbate energy poverty for Greek islanders. A response from the Commission is pending.
