Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Next year looks set to deliver record low gas prices amid a perfect bearish storm of an ongoing supply glut, mild weather, record high storage levels and a possible agreement in the Ukraine-Russia transit deal. Listen to four analysts provide their 2019 highlights, and forecasts for next year. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Tor Reier Lilleholt, Head of Analysis, Wattsight, Marcus Ferdinand, Head of EU Power and Carbon Analytics, ICIS, Wayne Bryan, Senior Energy and Commodity Analyst, Alfa Energy, Trevor Sikorski, Head of Natural Gas, Oil and Carbon Research, Energy Aspects. 

What will happen in 2050 when Europe's power system will be close to 100% renewables? Listen to this week's pod as we turn the Green tea leaves towards a low-carbon world and discuss the potential for energy storage using hydrogen and … ammonia.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Gry Aamodt, Vice Preseident Global Drivers, Statkraft, Nora Kamprath Buli, Editor Germany, Montel. 

The dominance of coal in Poland’s energy mix will come to an end – the question is by when and what will replace the dirty fuel. This week’s pod discusses the options open to the country and which form of power generation will expand at the fastest rate.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Arek Zielezny, Managing Director, Laconia Investments, Marcin Czekanski, Poland Correspondent, Montel. 

Corporate demand for guarantees of origin (GOs) will remain strong next year as companies continue to boost their green credentials. However, supply from French auctions and from German facilities should continue to keep prices around 50 eurocents. Listen to expert views on what’s currently driving the GO market.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Alexandra Münzer, Managing Director, Greenfact, Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel. 

While currently trading around EUR 25/t, European carbon prices look set to be hit by several bearish factors next year, including a potential flood of UK permits, an economic slowdown and reduced demand as Germany starts its coal exit. Listen to the in-depth analysis of current and future CO market drivers. Host:Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel.Guests:Tom Lord, Head of Trading and Risk Management, Redshaw Advisors,Alessandro Vitelli, Carbon Reporter. 

Spain´s PPA boom could be a bubble that could burst in the coming years. This week´s pod comes from Madrid, where we discuss the upcoming election and the impact on energy policy. Will the next government be able to push through the necessary legislation in order for Spain to meet its decarbonisation targets? Host:Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests:Andrés Cala, Editor Spain, Montel, Pedro Linares, Professor of Energy Policy, Comillas Pontificial University.

Norway could be heading for a slowdown, or even an abrupt halt, in wind power expansion amid growing opposition to onshore turbines. This week we discuss the growth in green capacity across the Nordics and the potential impact on wholesale prices in the region and beyond. Host:Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests:Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor, Nordics, Montel,Marius Holm Rennesund, Partner, Thema Consulting  Group. 

Could Germany be holding back its climate ambitions due to fears of public unrest similar to the gilet jaunes movement in France? This week’s pod addresses such concerns with Germany’s leading green energy supplier, and how the EU’s biggest economy can hasten its energy transition.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest:Nils Kompe, Head of power portfolio management, LichtBlick. 

Amid concerns of a global economic slowdown, this week’s pod discussed the energy market implications of the China-US trade war, Trump’s tweet and the latest Brexit developments. What are the key pointers to look for in an increasingly uncertain gloomy macro environment? Host:Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest:Richard Mallinson, senior analyst, Energy Aspects. 

News of fresh delays and cost overruns at France’s next generation reactor at Flamanville may not be a killer blow for the country’s nuclear industry but the sector could face death by a thousand cuts. This week´s pod discusses more woes for French and European reactors.Host:Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests:Paolo Coghe, Director, Acousmatics, Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel.