Renew Europe MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk has asked the European Commission to outline an accelerated strategy for EU energy strategic autonomy, citing overlapping geopolitical pressures from Russia's war in Ukraine and Middle East instability. The written question, submitted on 8 April 2026, targets the Commission's plans to diversify supply sources, scale up domestic production, and potentially recalibrate the European Green Deal to prioritise energy security and affordability.
Kyuchyuk's question contains three concrete asks: a comprehensive autonomy strategy, a policy framework recalibration, and a more technologically neutral energy mix. He specifically queries whether the Commission would reassess the role of shale gas, nuclear energy, and even temporary coal reactivation during acute disruptions. This reflects a push for pragmatism over strict decarbonisation timelines, potentially impacting EU climate goals, energy-intensive industries, and consumers facing high prices.
The MEP's intervention signals a growing concern among centrist and liberal MEPs that the EU's energy transition may be too rigid in the face of real-world shocks. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it leans towards accelerating renewables and efficiency (current Green Deal orthodoxy) or embracing a broader mix including fossil fuels and nuclear as bridging technologies. Stakeholders most affected include EU energy producers (renewables vs. fossil/nuclear), industrial consumers (competitiveness vs. green costs), EU households (energy bills), and environmental NGOs (climate ambition vs. security).