This Week in Energy — Brussels (#31, 2026)
Commission approves Poland's €7.9bn NextGenerationEU payment; New regulation for heavy-duty vehicle pollution durability; Definitive countervailing duties imposed on glass fibre imports from China, Egypt, Morocco, and Türkiye.
August 09, 2026 to August 15, 2026
Commission approves Poland's €7.9bn NextGenerationEU payment; New regulation for heavy-duty vehicle pollution durability; Definitive countervailing duties imposed on glass fibre imports from China, Egypt, Morocco, and Türkiye.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission Approves Poland’s Fifth Recovery and Resilience Payment Request
The European Commission on 9 August 2026 announced its positive assessment of Poland’s fifth payment request for €7.9 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), a key instrument of NextGenerationEU. The assessment confirms the satisfactory completion of 16 milestones and 13 targets in the Council Implementing Decision for Poland, encompassing reforms and investments in digital education, urban public transport, renewables, and electricity grid digitalisation. Measures noted include the roll-out of a national electricity market data hub, power quality monitoring in 48 substations, and amendments to the Polish Energy Law introducing new transparency and digital procedures for grid connections. The Commission’s preliminary assessment has been sent to the Economic and Financial Committee, which has four weeks to deliver its opinion. Upon adoption of a payment decision by the Commission, this disbursement would bring total RRF support paid to Poland to €42.05 billion, equating to nearly 77% of the country’s allocated funds.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Durability Multipliers Set for Euro 7 Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1216 of 9 June 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, introducing specific durability multipliers for gaseous pollutants from heavy-duty vehicles in categories M3, N2, and N3. The regulation sets a multiplier value of 1.2 for these vehicles, aligning Euro 7 heavy-duty engine emission requirements with those already applicable to other categories. The amendment enters into force 20 days following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ L, 2026/1216, 13 August 2026, CELEX: 32026R1216).
Definitive Countervailing Duty Maintained on Glass Fibre Fabric Imports
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1928 of 7 August 2026 imposes a definitive countervailing duty on imports of certain woven and stitched glass fibre fabrics originating in China and Egypt, including those consigned from Morocco and Türkiye, following an expiry review under Regulation (EU) 2016/1037. The review found continued subsidisation in the form of preferential lending, grants, tax advantages, and provision of land or electricity at below-market rates in both exporting countries. Duties are maintained at 17.0–30.7% for imports from China and 10.9% for Egypt. The regulation also addresses anti-circumvention extensions to Morocco and Türkiye. It entered into force upon publication in the Official Journal (OJ L, 2026/1928, 10 August 2026, CELEX: 32026R1928).
What We're Reading This Week
- ‘The real challenge starts after sundown’: Europe’s heatwave boosted solar by up to 17% on hot days: Europe's heatwave increased solar power generation but underscored challenges in meeting energy demand after sunset.
- Romania's only nuclear power plant shuts down over low Danube water levels: Record-low Danube water levels force Romania’s sole nuclear power plant offline, raising concerns about energy security.
- Cypriot natural gas flowing to Europe in 2028, says Cyprus Energy Minister: Cyprus plans to begin exporting natural gas to European markets by 2028, bolstering regional energy security.
- Opinie | Gulf states should make a deal with Iran on Hormuz: Negotiating a regional agreement on Hormuz could reduce tensions and secure vital energy exports for both Gulf states and Iran.
