Plugged In: the energy news podcast

As 373m Europeans head to the polls – we ask one simple question. Will the rise of the far right across the EU endanger the energy transition? Pollsters are warning a swing right – and left –  will fragment the European Parliament and could paralyse decision making. So, will the hard-fought parliamentary consensus for the green shift become fragile over the next five years?Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Raphael Hanoteaux, Policy Advisor, E3G; Siobhan Hall, Brussels correspondent, Montel. 

The green transition will not succeed unless industrial sectors also manage to decarbonise production processes. Sweden has experienced problems with long-term power purchase deals, with many companies facing a very tough financial environment amid price volatility and oversupply. Listen to a discussion on the lessons learnt for Europe and one company’s ambitious plans to massively reduce its carbon footprint.  Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Mia Bodin, Partner, Bodecker Partners; Arne Österlind, Energy Portfolio Director, H2 Green Steel. 

Global geopolitical tensions are growing amid a creeping escalation of the conflicts in the Middle-East and in Ukraine. Listen to a discussion on the dangers to global security and energy supply as very few countries seek to de-escalate conflict zones. This week’s pod also touches on the upcoming EU elections and positive signs in Germany as power demand seems to have bottomed out and turned a corner.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Henning Gloystein, Director for Energy, Climate and Resources, Eurasia Group

What a difference a couple of years makes. As France returns to a position of net power exporter, it appears to have moved on from the supply woes of 2022. But booming solar generation, a plethora of negative prices in France and its neighbours have weighed on wholesale electricity prices and raised doubts about the financing of new nuclear plants and renewables. Listen to a discussion on the flexible operation of nuclear plants in combination with solar and wind generation. Could France be heading for a glut of power production?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests:Yves Le Thieis, Vice President, Compass LexeconPaolo Coghe, CEO, Acousmatics

Europe leads the renewables boom with wind and solar as fastest growing sources. Discussion on growth continuing, challenges like curtailments and public acceptance. Negative prices spur innovation in storage. Chapters explore solar adoption globally and storage solutions in renewable energy.

European carbon prices have rebounded from two-year lows in February to trade around EUR 70/t. One of the main drivers for the CO2 market has so far been gas. Listen to a discussion with Ingvild Sorhus from Veytabout the other drivers influencing prices and why a return to EUR 100/t is possible as a shortage looms from 2026.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Ingvild Sørhus, Lead Carbon Analyst, Veyt 

The global gas market faces turmoil and increased price volatility should Donald Trump return to the white house. Listen to a discussion why a Trump victory in November will be “like dropping a hand grenade on the energy markets”, the implications of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure and Putin’s shadow fleet of LNG vessels. And will Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Tobias Federico, Director, Montel Analytics; Wayne Bryan, Director European Gas Research, LSEG.

EU regulatory agency Acer is taking on new tasks and challenges. Listen to a discussion on the complexities of supervising increasingly automated and interconnected markets, the expansion of the Remit framework, the regulatory body’s new investigatory powers and how it handles huge amounts of data.  In addition, what plans does Acer have to improve its brand recognition in parts of Europe where its role has been misunderstood?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuest: Christian Zinglersen, Director, Acer

The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is intended to address the issue of carbon leakage - preventing companies moving to jurisdictions with less stringent emissions rules - and to keep industrial sectors in the EU competitive by charging a carbon levy at its borders. But the inclusion of electricity could trigger several unintended consequences. Listen to a discussion on how the law could significantly affect electricity flows between non-EU and EU countries and impact investment in renewable energy. Could the border tax actually hinder moves to decarbonise Europe?Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Phil Hewitt, Director Montel Analytics; Jean-Paul Harreman, Director Montel Analytics.

After record low nuclear output in 2022, France has again become a powerhouse of atomic generation. So much so, that it is again Europe’s largest electricity exporter. Wholesale market prices in the country have tumbled amid ample supply, weak demand and high renewables, primarily solar, generation. Listen to a discussion on the outlook ahead of the summer, and the potential for surprises amid probes into possible corrosion at some reactors.Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News; Tasmin Chowdhary, Market Analyst, Volue.