Plugged In: the energy news podcast

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.

What a difference a year makes. In 2020 gas prices plunged to record lows, but this year they have rebounded dramatically, surging to multi-year highs on cooler weather, supply concerns and low storage. Listen to a discussion on whether Gazprom’s recent use of Ukrainian spare transit capacity was driven by geopolitics or economics, as well as other market developments, outages at LNG facilities and the short-term outlook.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuests: Wayne Bryan, Director, European Gas Research, Refinitiv.Iryna Sereda, Gas Analyst at Refinitiv.

Europe's CO2 market continues to break new records, almost daily. Ahead of a flurry of new legislative proposals from Brussels starting in June, key MEP Jytte Guteland highlights what lies ahead for ETS reform and why MEPs seek to end free allocation to industry as part of the carbon border tax proposals.Listen to a behind the scenes look at EU negotiations, which can often be marathons where only chocolate gets you to the end. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuest: Jytte Guteland, MEP for the Social Democrats

Connecting 300 GW of offshore wind by 2050 will require a fresh configuration of bidding zones, and multilateral cooperation between countries, TSOs and utilities. Onshore, politics often trumps economics or physics, but will this be the case offshore? Listen to a discussion on bidding zones, green hydrogen and a look back at key decisions made in Brussels in recent years. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuest: Bente Hagem, former Director Statnett, ex Chair of Entsoe board

The Nordic region has huge potential for the further expansion of renewable energy as more and more companies seek to procure new or “additional” green energy.Listen to a discussion on the current trends in PPAs and the risks of “cannibalisation”.Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuests: Mia Bodin, Head of Analysis, Bodecker PartnersPaul Orstavik, Lead Originator, Renewable Energy Solutions, Kinect Energy

Germany faces an electricity capacity gap of up to 4 GW in 2023 and 2024 due to the country’s exit from both coal-fired and nuclear power generation. Listen to a discussion on how supply could be critically endangered and what direction energy policy could take should the Green party join the government following elections later this year.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuest: Konstantin Lenz, Professor for Energy Economics, University of applied sciences Erfurt and Business Development Manager, Volue

Last year’s carnage in global oil demand would have been a lot worse for oil prices without the deep production cut agreement by Opec and non-member partners. But how will current geopolitical tensions play out?Will Iran keep selling to China? Is Saudi Arabia likely to maintain production cuts, or will Russia continue to boost output?Listen to a discussion on how the complex web of intrigue and realpolitik is driving the world’s most liquid commodity market. Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuest: Nadia Martin Wiggen, Partner and Energy Analyst, Pareto Securities

Meteorologists say summer temperatures in southern Europe could hit 50C, surpassing levels seen in recent years. This week’s episode looks at what this could mean for the continent’s power and gas systems in the face of more freak weather incidents such as cold snaps and heatwaves. And tune in to hear the latest forecasts for the weeks and months to come. Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuests: Mark Stephens-Row, Meteorologist, IBM WeatherJulian Telford, Head of Energy, MetDeskFredrik Cronvall, Meteorologist, SMHI

Last year remained a busy year for power purchase agreements (PPAs) despite the Covid pandemic, and activity looks set to accelerate as the market sees a post-virus bounce. Listen to a discussion on companies who are keen to brand themselves as green – the green image seekers – and those for whom cost is paramount – the green giants.  Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel,Guest: Thekla von Bulow, Principal Commissioned Projects, Aurora Energy Research

The success of Europe’s climate neutral goal for 2050 will depend a lot on hydrogen, particularly its green form when backed by renewables. Large utilities, industrial firms and oil and gas majors are now gearing up to make big investments in green hydrogen.This week’s episode looks at some of those ambitious plans in the Nordic region. Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, MontelGuests: Martin Pei, Executive Vice President and CTO, SSABMarius Holm Rennesund, Partner, Thema ConsultingKathrine Stene Bakke, Head of AFRY Management Consulting NorwayOlav Botnen, Senior Analyst, Volue Insight