Plugged In: the energy news podcast

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, Bru...

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 late...

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 C...

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-base...

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 a...

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 wher...

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 Sverris...

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, Montel Guests:  Mia Bodin, Head of Analysis, Bodecker Partners Paul Orstavik, Lead Originator, Rene...

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, Montel...

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...

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-Chi...

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, Gu...

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, Montel...

Last week’s deep freeze across the southern US caused power outages for millions in Texas, the country’s second most populous state. Was it an isolated problem or could a similar event occur in Europe?  Listen to a panel of experts as they delve into how Europe needs to integrate renewables and the steps needed to level the playing field for new entrants.  Host:   Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chi...

Are speculators behind the rise in carbon prices to new heights above EUR 40/t? This week’s podcast delves into the rally, addresses the fundamental factors supporting EUAs and whether placing limits on non-compliance participants is desirable or possible.  Host:   Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel Guests:  Marcus Ferdinand, Head of EU Power and Carbon Analytics, Icis Trevor Sikor...

Developing solar power in parts of Europe not known for being sunny is like being a student at a rough school – you come out a tough kid. At least that’s how the CEOs of Nordic firms Otovo and Alright Energy see it in this week’s episode.  Hear the outlook for rooftop and large-scale solar across Europe.  Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel Guests:  Andreas Thorsheim, CEO, Ot...

In a week of dramatic price moves in the carbon market, some participants have questioned the reasons for the rise to fresh highs. Is it the role of new entrants, could EUAs be the new Game Stop?  Listen to a discussion on the various factors at play in the ever volatile EU ETS and the outlook for prices for the weeks and months ahead.  Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel  Gu...

Europe’s quest to become carbon neutral by 2050 will mean increased grid congestion with an expansion of intermittent renewable energy.  This week’s show discusses how electricity networks could cope with such bottlenecks, and why a fear of gaming and market power is holding back regulators from choosing market-based options.  Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel.  Guests:  An...

Some meteorologists may be playing down the risk of a return of 2018's "Beast from the East", but this winter is far from over and with it the potential for further gas and power price spikes. This week's show discusses the reasons for the recent price surges in Asian LNG, the outlook for the coming months and whether the market became too blase about cheap gas.  Host: Richard...

 France is set to overhaul the mechanism intended to boost competition in the country’s electricity market, but the measure’s complexity as well as disputes over the potential break-up of energy major EDF could see the government postponing reform.  This week’s episode discusses the French solution for competition, and why there may not be a resolution until 2022 or beyond. Host:  Richard Sverriss...

German power prices have gained in recent weeks amid colder weather and a strong carbon market, with the bullish trend set to continue over the coming weeks, at least according to this week’s guest.  Listen to a discussion on Germany’s coal exit tenders which have led, to the surprise of many, to the closure of modern, efficient plants but left older units in operation. In addition, we look at the...

In the last episode of 2020, a year of pandemic and economic turmoil, the Montel Weekly podcast takes listeners on a virtual tour around Europe with discussions about what lies ahead for the continent’s energy markets. We review this year’s key policy milestones, the drive to decarbonise Europe, the latest demand forecasts, and conclude with a plea for peace and love.  Host:  Richard Sverrisson, E...

Power supply in northwest Europe over the coming winter faces uncertainty amid limited nuclear availability, aging conventional plant capacity and colder weather, but the lights will stay on, Vincent Verbeke of Engie assures us.  In this episode we discuss the ever expanding European PPA market and Engie’s strategy going forward, as well as touching on the role of blockchain in the energy transiti...

Access to European energy markets is being used as a negotiating tool in Brexit discussions over access to UK fisheries as well as state aid provisions.  In this episode, we discuss the implications of a no-deal Brexit for the power and gas sectors, and how it seems increasingly likely that the UK will adopt a carbon tax instead of a trading scheme.  Host:  Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Euro...