Plugged In: the energy news podcast

This week’s pod discusses soaring energy prices, asking what is behind the bull run, how long it could last and what are the implications for energy intensive industries? As prices surge there is an increased risk of political intervention and perhaps even a call for Germany to return to nuclear power.Guest: Olav Vilnes, Editor Nordics, Montel,Nathan Witkop, Correspondent Germany, Montel

Back after a short summer break, this week’s pod takes a close look at the EU’s green finance taxonomy and how its criteria on sustainable investments will impact the energy sector.Listen to a discussion on whether nuclear and gas should be included and why some did not want to include hydropower as part of the criteria. Guest: Nathan Fabian, Chair of the European Platform on Sustainable Finance and Chief Responsible Investment Officer at the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.

How will traders respond to the European Commission’s legislative package of renewable energy and EU ETS reforms due later this month?Listen to a discussion with the CEO of the European Federation of Energy Traders on the so-called “Fit for 55” proposals and a plea for policy coherence and consistency. The podcast will then take a short summer break, returning on 6 August.Guest: Mark Copley, CEO, European Federation of Energy Traders (Efet)

This week our dedicated team of environmental markets reporters discuss the price drivers for GOs, challenges in the PPA and green hydrogen sectors as well as cross-border issues impacting the expansion of renewable energy across Europe. Guests: Rachael Burnett, Environmental Markets Reporter, MontelTasmin Chowdhary, Correspondent Germany, MontelEnza Tedesco, Environmental Markets Reporter, Montel

With the costs of producing power from solar falling rapidly, the frontier for PV has moved and now includes the “champion” Denmark, as well as other parts of northern Europe.Listen to a discussion on the outlook for power purchase agreements (PPAs), the markets that are hot and the ones that are lagging behind in the race for net zero carbon.Guest: Andrea Grotzke, Global Director of Energy Solutions, BayWa r.e.

Italy plans to exit coal-fired power generation by 2025, but what can replace the fossil fuel? Listen to a discussion on the outlook for green hydrogen as well natural gas in a country that is often beset by red tape and lengthy permitting processes. Guest: Matteo Mazzoni, Head of Market Strategy, Snam

The European Commission is preparing new energy and climate legislation – possibly running into thousands of pages – which it will propose in July.Listen to a discussion on the new rules for the carbon market, the CO2 border tax as well as for renewables and energy efficiency.  What kind of changes will lobbyists manage to impose on the final laws over the coming months?Guest: Siobhan Hall, Brussels Correspondent, Montel.

Nordic wholesale electricity prices have soared compared to last year amid cold weather and exports to Germany, despite high hydropower stocks.Listen to a discussion on the huge internal price differences in the region's 12 price zones, and the reasons for the spread with Germany in forward prices. Is carbon the key driver, and why are Norwegian hydropower producers saving water for use later in the year?Guest:Eylert Ellefsen, Senior Analyst, EQTor Reier Lilleholt, Head of Analysis, VolueSigbjorn Seland, Chief Analyst, Storm Geo 

As economies jolt back from pandemic-led destruction, there are growing concerns about inflation. An influx of speculative activity in the EU carbon market – which has whipsawed CO2 prices to record highs above EUR 56/t and then below 50/t in a matter of days – suggests investors may be using the ETS as a hedge against inflation.Listen in to this week’s debate. Guests: Ingvild Sorhus, Lead EU Carbon Analyst, RefinitivTrevor Sikorski, Head of Natural Gas, Oil and Carbon Research, Energy AspectsBjarne Schieldrop, Chief Analyst Commodities, SEB

The EU’s countdown to net-zero emissions by 2050 will demand significant changes to many industrial sectors and will herald a host of new policy frameworks and tools to spur low-carbon technology across the bloc of 27 nations.Tune in this week to hear about the EU executive’s industrial strategy as well as the ideological divide that pits dirigiste countries against those who favour a market-based approach.Guest: Giorgio Corbetta, Senior Associate Energy Practice, Global Counsel.