Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change
Uniper Rising: Can Germany's Gas Giant Go Green? Ep206: Michael Lewis
Apr 30, 2025
Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, leads one of Germany's largest energy companies through a remarkable transformation after the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He shares insights on Uniper's shift from heavy reliance on Russian gas to innovative renewable projects. The conversation touches on Germany's ambitious net-zero goals and the vital role of technology in overcoming energy supply challenges. Lewis also highlights exciting initiatives like using renewable energy for neonatal care in Sierra Leone, blending sustainability with impactful healthcare.
58:05
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Quick takeaways
- Uniper's successful turnaround from a $40 billion loss to profitability illustrates the potential for state-supported companies to embrace renewables and ensure energy resilience.
- The podcast emphasizes the critical need for flexible generation capabilities to balance renewable energy sources and address challenges like 'dunkelflaute' during the energy transition.
Deep dives
The Decarbonization and Affordability Challenge
The podcast highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing decarbonization efforts with energy affordability and supply security. The conflict between these three factors remains a pressing issue, particularly in light of recent energy crises, such as the spike in gas prices following geopolitical events. Achieving environmental objectives does not detract from the need to maintain affordability and reliable energy supplies, emphasizing the necessity for a holistic approach to the energy transition. Ultimately, the integration of renewables and flexible generation is crucial for addressing these conflicting priorities.
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