Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) will question the future Commissioner-designate for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, on either 5 or 11 November, according to two alternative schedules for the parliamentary hearings of European Commissioners.
In a document obtained by Agence Europe, Mr Jørgensen is asked, in writing, about the legislative proposals he intends to support over the next five years, in particular during the first 100 days of the European Commission, in the wake of the mission letter published by the President of the European Commission (see EUROPE 13485/10).
In general terms, MEPs want to know how Mr Jørgensen intends to ensure the effective implementation of the European Green Deal and the energy legislation adopted during the previous mandate.
He is also asked about his vision of the “energy efficiency first” principle in making investment decisions, as well as his approach to technological neutrality in the energy sector and his views on nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs).
The next set of questions concerns the security of the EU’s energy supply and the strategy that the future Commissioner intends to adopt to further diversify this supply and strengthen European sovereignty.
“What steps will you follow to reduce reliance on external suppliers while enhancing clean energy and critical infrastructure within the EU, including the development of the hydrogen economy (...)?”, ask the MEPs.
Other questions concern flexibility, demand response and storage, and concrete measures to speed up the modernisation of electricity networks and improve interconnection capacity.
The European Commission’s mission statement announces the publication of an ‘Electrification Action Plan’ and an ‘Affordable Energy Action Plan’. MEPs therefore are asking Mr Jørgensen about the specific measures expected within these plans.
In addition, they also want to know to what extent the future Commissioner intends to promote the use of power purchase agreements (PPAs) and contracts for difference (CfDs) to ensure price competitiveness.
With regard to housing, the ITRE Committee is questioning what concrete measures will be included in the very first ‘Affordable Housing Plan’ and what synergies are possible with the revised directives on energy efficiency and the energy performance of buildings. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys and editorial staff)