Overview
This report covers the publication window from 03.08.2026 till 09.08.2026 (Monday → Sunday). A total of 12 Parliamentary Questions (PQs) relating to the energy transition, industrial competitiveness, and sustainability were processed during this timeframe. Of these, 8 have received responses from the European Commission, while 4 remain pending. Key themes covered in this period include the decarbonisation of heavy industry and agriculture, the deployment and regulation of renewables and energy communities, grid and infrastructure modernisation, and energy security in the context of global geopolitical shifts and critical mineral supply chains.
❓ Reducing irrigation-related energy costs through energy communities
In E-003140/2026, submitted by Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) on 27 July 2026, the Commission is asked to evaluate the uptake of energy communities in the agricultural sector under RED III. The inquiry specifically addresses the high energy costs associated with irrigation and asks whether future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) measures or additional financial incentives will be proposed to support agricultural cooperatives in forming energy communities. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Support for sustainable biogas and biomethane production
In E-002064/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the core question addresses measures to support the decarbonisation of industry and the fertiliser sector. In a response on 4 August 2026, Commissioner Hoekstra noted that the ETS Directive revision considered carbon leakage and industrial decarbonisation. He highlighted that the Fertilisers Action Plan (FAP) allows Member States to use Cohesion Funds for sustainable biogas and biomethane, supported by AccelerateEU and the CAP, which provide rural development funding for investments and partnerships.
❗ Electrification of the Aalborg-Hirtshals/Frederikshavn railway section
In E-002281/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the inquiry focuses on the requirements for railway electrification. In a response on 4 August 2026, Commissioner Tzitzikostas confirmed that the section is part of the TEN-T core network, which requires electrification by 31 December 2030. He clarified that Member States can request exemptions based on geographical, economic, or environmental constraints, in which case alternative fuels like hydrogen or battery-powered trains must be deployed. Funding may be available under the Connecting Europe Facility or National and Regional Partnership Plans.
❓ Effectiveness of EU spending on housing energy efficiency upgrades
In E-003133/2026, submitted by Mathilde Androuët (PfE) on 27 July 2026, the Commission is questioned on the effectiveness of uniform energy efficiency targets following a European Court of Auditors report highlighting limited energy savings from Recovery and Resilience Facility spending. The MEP asks if the Commission justifies maintaining costly obligations and whether it plans to prioritise voluntary measures that target energy-intensive homes while respecting Member State autonomy over energy mixes. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Technological neutrality and nuclear power in data centre regulation
In E-002448/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the inquiry queries the treatment of nuclear energy in data centre sustainability requirements. In a response on 4 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen clarified that the Commission is considering feedback to include nuclear power in the data centre labelling scheme under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Furthermore, the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act recognises small modular reactors (SMRs) as a potential energy source and assesses projects based on overall energy performance, ensuring technological neutrality.
❗ Transparency and confidentiality of the European data centre database
In E-001796/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the core question concerns the public availability of data centre metrics. In a response on 4 August 2026, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Commission has fulfilled its EED obligation by launching a public dashboard for aggregated data, confirming that current confidentiality rules comply with EU law and the Aarhus Convention. He emphasised that Member States determine which specific local data must be published, and noted that the upcoming Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package will not review the EED.
❗ Deindustrialisation risks and the Clean Industrial Deal
In E-002437/2026, submitted by Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE) on 13 June 2026, the MEP asks how the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal will prevent companies from relocating to the USA, given the direct financial incentives offered by the US Inflation Reduction Act compared to the EU’s regulatory approach. In a response on 4 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained that the Clean Industrial Deal, supported by the proposed European Competitiveness Fund and the Industrial Accelerator Act, aims to reduce relocation risks by accelerating permitting, supporting industrial scale-up, and reducing administrative burdens, while closely monitoring the impact of global subsidies.
❓ Impact of CBAM pricing on EU metalworking SMEs
In E-003156/2026, submitted by Svenja Hahn (Renew) on 28 July 2026, the Commission is asked to address the competitive disadvantage faced by EU metalworking SMEs due to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The MEP questions whether the benchmark-based methodology for pricing embedded CO₂ emissions will be revised to reduce market distortions and administrative burdens, and seeks clarification on whether specific CN codes fall within CBAM’s scope. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Agricultural input dependency and fertiliser sector resilience
In E-002441/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the inquiry addresses the EU’s reliance on external agricultural inputs. In a response on 6 August 2026, Commissioner Hansen highlighted that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the proposed preparedness framework in the Common Market Organisation Regulation aim to secure supply during crises. He also pointed to the Fertilisers Action Plan, the Critical Raw Materials Act, and the Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act as tools to boost domestic production capacity, while noting that the ETS and CBAM will steer the fertiliser industry towards decarbonisation.
❗ Economic impact of the Middle East energy shock
In E-001982/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the inquiry revolves around the economic fallout of the Middle East conflict on energy prices and inflation. In a response on 4 August 2026, Commissioner Dombrovskis noted that while a recent US-Iran MoU helped drop oil prices and reduce euro area inflation to 2.8% in June, re-escalation remains a risk. He highlighted the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework and the AccelerateEU Communication as tools to protect citizens and support exposed sectors, stressing that fiscal emergency measures must be targeted and sustainable.
❓ Transparency of Global Gateway projects in Colombia
In E-003158/2026, submitted by Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE) on 29 July 2026, the MEP raises concerns over a lack of transparency and human rights safeguards in Global Gateway projects in Colombia, including green hydrogen and renewable energy initiatives. The inquiry asks how the Commission measures the environmental and social impacts of these projects and how it ensures a transparent, free, prior, and informed consultation process for affected communities in conflict-affected regions. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Securing critical minerals through cooperation with New Caledonia
In E-002537/2026 (submitting MEP and date not provided in the source document), the inquiry focuses on diversifying the EU’s supply of critical raw materials. In a response on 7 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné highlighted the strategic importance of New Caledonia’s nickel resources for the energy transition and defence sectors. He noted that the CaledoNi Strategic Project aims to boost nickel production, create jobs, and address environmental disturbances, reinforcing the EU’s integration with Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) in the Indo-Pacific.
