Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions (PQs) published during the timeframe of 16.08.2026 till 23.08.2026 (Monday → Sunday). The tracked documents highlight key themes in European energy and transition policy, including the deployment of renewables, grids and infrastructure resilience, financing mechanisms for the green transition, governance frameworks such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and energy security through diversified supply chains. In total, 14 PQs are covered in this monitoring cycle, of which 12 have been answered by the European Commission and 2 remain pending.
❗ Environmental and Social Impacts of Preveza Photovoltaic Park
Submitted on 15 June 2026 by Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI), E-002458/26 questions the Commission on local opposition to a 1,000-acre photovoltaic park in Preveza, Greece, citing threats to historical monuments, the environment, and local livelihoods. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen noted that while the European Green Deal promotes renewables to reduce emissions and lower energy prices, the assessment and authorisation of individual projects, including environmental and cultural impacts, remain the competence of national authorities in line with EU law.
❓ Electricity Crisis Risk in Romania Due to Low Danube Levels
Submitted on 7 August 2026 by Victor Negrescu (S&D), P-003227/2026 asks the Commission about urgent coordinated EU action to address the electricity generation shortfall in Romania caused by low water levels in the Danube, inquiring whether an early warning has been issued and if emergency measures for thermal capacity will be authorised. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Southern Gas Interconnection in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Submitted on 18 May 2026 by Gordan Bosanac (Verts/ALE), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Vladimir Prebilič (Verts/ALE), and Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), E-002030/26 raises concerns over the opaque appointment of an investor for the Southern Gas Interconnection between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, warning of potential gas lock-in instead of renewable district heating solutions for Sarajevo. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Commission has urged authorities to respect EU gas acquis, highlighting that fossil fuel projects are no longer eligible for EU funding under the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility.
❗ Feasibility and Flexibility of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Submitted on 28 May 2026 by Sophie Wilmès (Renew) alongside 10 other MEPs, E-002171/26 questions the feasibility of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), asking about monitoring mechanisms, operational flexibility for national building stocks, and financial support for vulnerable households. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen clarified that the EPBD already provides ample flexibility and exemptions based on cost-benefit assessments, noting that a review is scheduled for 2028 and highlighting the Social Climate Fund as a key mechanism to support households in energy poverty.
❗ Transparency and Corporate Influence on Data Centre Energy Metrics
Submitted on 4 June 2026 by Lynn Boylan (The Left), E-002307/26 challenges the Commission on Delegated Act (EU) 2024/1364, alleging that blanket confidentiality on data centre environmental metrics was influenced by tech lobbying and contradicts the transparency goals of the parent Energy Efficiency Directive. Replying on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen rejected the claims, asserting that the act was prepared in line with Better Regulation rules, provides aggregated public data via a European database, and appropriately balances transparency with the security and privacy requests of Member States.
❗ Minimum Energy Performance Standards for EU Data Centres
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002062/26 addresses the energy performance of data centres within the EU legislative framework. In a response on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen emphasised that the EU is the first to introduce comprehensive legislation on the topic through the Energy Efficiency Directive, and announced that the Commission will launch a call for evidence, public consultation, and impact assessment before proposing any minimum performance standards.
❗ Financial Impact of the AccelerateEU Electrification Action Plan
Submitted on 3 June 2026 by Mathilde Androuët (PfE), E-002269/26 questions the potential financial burden of the AccelerateEU electrification plan on households, SMEs, and rural areas, asking if the Commission intends to force premature replacements of vehicles or boilers. Answering on 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen clarified that the Electrification Action Plan imposes no obligations on consumers, but rather seeks to reduce the price gap between electricity and fossil fuels, thereby incentivising voluntary uptake of cleaner technologies.
❗ Decarbonising Aviation and the ReFuelEU Regulation
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002459/26 queries the Commission’s strategy for achieving climate neutrality in the aviation sector. On 14 August 2026, Commissioner Tzitzikostas responded that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) supply has already exceeded the 2% mandate in 2025, demonstrating the success of ReFuelEU Aviation, while noting that the EU ETS and the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan will mobilise billions to further scale synthetic fuels (eSAF) and disruptive technologies like hydrogen aircraft.
❓ Systemic Risks and Speculation in the EU ETS Market
Submitted on 17 June 2026 by Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR), and Carlo Fidanza (ECR), E-002525/2026 asks the Commission whether it has a contingency plan to address potential price shocks and liquidity problems in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), expressing concern over the growing participation of financial operators and the risk of speculative bubbles. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Just Transition Fund Implementation in Silesia
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002543/26 questions the progress and job-creation efficacy of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) in regions facing deindustrialisation. In a response on 21 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Fitto highlighted that 85% of the EUR 2.2 billion€2.2BCited figure JTF allocation for Silesia has been committed, aiming to support skills acquisition for over 105,000 people and create nearly 2,800 jobs by 2029.
❗ Impact of the Gulf Crisis on Energy-Intensive Industries
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002294/26 probes the Commission’s response to the energy price shock and supply chain disruptions affecting energy-intensive industries (EIIs) due to the Gulf crisis. Responding on 13 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné outlined the AccelerateEU initiative and the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF), noting recent approvals like a EUR 710 million€710MCited figure scheme for Slovakia to compensate EIIs for indirect CO2 costs.
❗ Foreign Direct Investment and US Operators in EU Energy Infrastructure
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002106/26 inquires about commercial discussions between US companies and European energy infrastructure operators, specifically regarding LNG and diversification. On 19 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen replied that while the EU remains open to foreign investment, such transactions are subject to the EU Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation by Member States, adding that the Commission will propose a legislative revision in 2026 to structurally improve the diversification of gas supplies.
❗ Financing and Derisking Critical Raw Materials Projects
Submitted by a Member of the European Parliament, E-002608/26 asks about the mechanisms in place to secure Europe’s supply of critical raw materials (CRMs). In a response on 21 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné detailed that Team Europe has mobilised over EUR 1.7 billion since December 2025 for strategic projects, citing EIB financing for a German lithium project and a Greek gallium facility, and pointed to the proposed European Competitiveness Fund to further derisk CRM investments.
❗ China’s Dominance in Latin American Critical Raw Material Supply Chains
Submitted on 29 June 2026 by Alberico Gambino (ECR) and 11 other MEPs, E-002692/26 questions the Commission on the strategic risks posed by China’s increasing control over the copper industry and other critical raw materials in Latin America. On 19 August 2026, Commissioner Šefčovič affirmed that excessive concentration in value chains creates geopolitical vulnerabilities, noting that the EU is strengthening its presence in Latin America through strategic partnerships, such as Memoranda of Understanding with Chile and Argentina, and the designation of domestic strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
