This Week in Energy — Brussels (#13, 2026)
EP adopts EIB annual control report; major draft opinions on TEN-E and regional energy funding; committee scrutiny of Horizon Europe, EU permitting, and Temporary Decarbonisation Fund.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
EP adopts EIB annual control report; major draft opinions on TEN-E and regional energy funding; committee scrutiny of Horizon Europe, EU permitting, and Temporary Decarbonisation Fund.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Joint SEDE-ITRE: The Implementation of the 2026-2027 European Defence Industry Programme Work Programme: capability priority projects, with Francois Arbault, Director for Defence Industrial Programmes (DG for Defence Industry and Space, European Commission).
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts annual report on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank Group – annual report 2024
On 10 April 2026, the Committee on Budgetary Control published its report on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank Group for the annual report 2024 (A-10-2026-0086, procedure 2025/2237(INI)). Rapporteur Dick Erixon (CONT) reviewed the EIB Group’s operational and financial performance, with specific sections on energy transition, energy security, and the Bank’s evolving role in defence, nuclear, and resilience investments. The report noted over EUR 27 billion in energy transition and energy security investments for 2024, a record EUR 38.3 billion in cohesion financing, and the expansion of the Strategic European Security Initiative. The report also addressed the EIB’s support for Ukraine, governance reforms, transparency, and the handling of high-profile cases such as Northvolt’s bankruptcy. The Committee called for enhanced parliamentary scrutiny and external audit, including full access for the European Court of Auditors.
EU Council
Upcoming informal meeting of transport ministers to address fuel price volatility and transport resilience
Transport ministers will meet via videoconference on 21 April 2026 under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration. The agenda includes coordinated responses to fuel price volatility and measures to enhance resilience in the transport sector, in the context of ongoing volatility in global energy markets.
EP Committee Work
ENVI draft opinion on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E Regulation revision)
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) published its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation revising guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E), amending Regulations (EU) 2019/942, 2019/943, 2024/1789 and repealing 2022/869 (rapporteur: Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska). The opinion addresses infrastructure planning for electricity, hydrogen, and clean molecules, system integration, security of supply, and the role of nuclear and advanced modular reactors. The draft includes amendments on cross-border support for net-zero technologies, technological neutrality, and resilience against geopolitical and climate-related risks.
ENVI draft opinion on accelerating permit-granting procedures for energy projects
On 8 April 2026, ENVI released its draft opinion on the directive amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, 2019/944, and 2024/1788 regarding the acceleration of permit-granting procedures (rapporteur: Rasmus Nordqvist). The opinion proposes measures to simplify and harmonise permitting for renewable and grid infrastructure, supporting the Union’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
ITRE draft opinion on the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) published its draft opinion (rapporteur: Jana Nagyová) on the proposed regulation for the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security (2028-2034). The draft sets out priorities on industrial modernisation, energy infrastructure, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, and just transition. It highlights the need for robust indicators and links to the Clean Industrial Deal, Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys, and EU digital and energy objectives.
ENVI draft report on the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund
On 7 April 2026, ENVI issued its draft report on the proposal for a regulation establishing the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund (rapporteur: Pascal Canfin). The report outlines the fund’s design to support emission reductions, innovation, and socio-economic measures for vulnerable regions and sectors in the energy transition.
ENVI and AGRI committee opinions on Horizon Europe 2028-2034
Between 7 and 10 April 2026, draft opinions on the proposal for a regulation establishing Horizon Europe for 2028-2034 were published by the Committees on Environment (ENVI), Agriculture (AGRI, rapporteur: Bert-Jan Ruissen), Security and Defence (SEDE, rapporteur: Costas Mavrides), and Regional Development (REGI, rapporteur: Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza). The opinions address the integration of energy, digital, security, cohesion, and regional innovation policy in research and innovation programming, including energy system resilience, dual-use technology support, agricultural innovation, and regional participation in EU R&I funding.
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
BUDG ordinary meeting considers EIB annual report and EU budgetary implementation
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) held its ordinary meeting in Brussels. The agenda included consideration of the draft report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank Group for 2025 (rapporteur: Joachim Streit, Renew), opinions on the Single Market and Customs Programme, Connecting Europe Facility, and Horizon Europe for the period 2028-2034, and the 2026 EU Budget. The committee also discussed the annual report on the European Investment Bank Group and adopted related draft reports.
What We're Reading This Week
- EU moves to ban high-risk inverters from China over cybersecurity threats: EU prepares to restrict Chinese high-risk inverters, citing concerns about potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
- Attack on oil pipeline in Italy threatened fuel supplies across southern Germany: A pipeline attack in Italy disrupted fuel deliveries, raising concerns over energy security for southern Germany.
- Video. Iran ceasefire effect: Oil plunges as European markets surge: Oil prices drop sharply and European markets rally following news of an Iran ceasefire easing geopolitical tensions.
- EU gives Russia €3bn LNG Arctic boost as Iran war exposes energy vulnerability: EU approves €3bn LNG investment in Russia to secure energy supplies amid rising concerns over regional conflict disruptions.
- Coal's resurgence is a symptom of an incomplete energy transition: Rising coal use highlights gaps in clean energy adoption and challenges global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
