Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
Covering breaking news in clean tech, going deep on global energy policy, and debating the levers that need to move to accelerate the energy transition. Energy Gang is the podcast covering clean energy technology, renewable energy, and the environment. The world of clean energy moves fast, and you need a reliable source to stay on top of the news that matters. You’ll find it on Wood Mackenzie’s Energy Gang.How will changes to the US government affect decarbonisation and energy security? When will hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture deploy at scale? Where’s the money for the energy transition green finance coming from and how much more is needed? What’s the outlook for EVs? What are the energy predictions for solar energy? What's the latest on climate change?Get answers to questions like these, bi-weekly on Tuesdays at 7am ET. Plus, get special live episodes recorded at the biggest climate and energy events throughout the year, like COP30 and Climate Week NYC. Don’t worry if you can’t make it in person, Energy Gang brings you all the updates on energy policy, energy finance and energy innovation you need to hear.Energy Gang is presented by Wood Mackenzie and hosted by Ed Crooks, Vice-Chairman of Energy at Wood Mackenzie and a former Financial Times and BBC News journalist. Regular guests are Amy Myers-Jaffe (Director of NYU’s Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab), and Dr Melissa Lott (Partner at Microsoft) – plus a roster of industry leaders and policy influencers, like Jigar Shah (Industry figurehead and former director of the Loan Programs Office in the US Department of Energy), Caroline Golin (Head of North America, Global Energy Market Development and Policy at Google) and Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (Former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources).If you like The Energy Transition Show, Catalyst with Shayle Kann, The Big Switch from Columbia University, Open Circuit with Stephen Lacey or The Green Blueprint, you’ll enjoy Energy Gang.Want to get involved with the show? Reach out to podcasts@woodmac.com to:Bring Energy Gang to your eventBe a guest on the showSponsor an episodeAsk a question to Ed Crooks or one of our guestsCheck out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Interchange Recharged: https://www.woodmac.com/podcasts/the-interchange-recharged/Wood Mackenzie is the leading global data and analytics solutions provider for renewables, energy and natural resources. Learn more about Wood Mackenzie on the official website: https://www.woodmac.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2025 • 44min
California’s grid under pressure: affordability, AI, and the future of electricity markets
Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of CAISO, shares insights on California's electricity grid challenges and strategies. He addresses skyrocketing electricity prices and how CAISO is reforming transmission planning to reduce costs. The conversation explores the implications of AB 825 for regional governance and its potential to enhance market reliability. Elliot also delves into the impact of rising data center demand on energy loads and the role of AI. He emphasizes the importance of integrating distributed energy resources to improve affordability for consumers.
5 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 57min
What happened at COP30? The key points on cutting emissions, adapting to a warming world, and raising the finance to pay for it
In a deep dive into COP30 outcomes, guests include Amy Harder, a national energy correspondent at Axios, Lisa Jacobson, president of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Simon Evans, deputy editor at Carbon Brief, and Gianpiero Nacci, managing director at the EBRD. They discuss the contentious fossil fuel negotiations and the focus on climate adaptation. Key topics include a pledge to triple adaptation finance by 2035, the challenges of funding, and China's dual role as a clean-tech leader while expanding coal. What does this mean for future climate action?
Nov 19, 2025 • 53min
What happened in COP30’s first week? Support for energy efficiency and a status report on methane show which climate initiatives are still making progress
In this engaging discussion, guests Amy Myers Jaffe, a climate policy expert, Bob Hinkle, CEO of Metris Energy focusing on energy efficiency, and Bjorn Otto Sverdrup from the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter tackle critical climate initiatives at COP30. They explore the ambitious goal of doubling global energy efficiency gains, the significant role of US businesses, and the need for practical implementation. Bjorn shares impressive achievements in methane reduction, while Bob highlights the co-benefits of energy efficiency, tying health, economics, and resilience together in climate action.
Nov 13, 2025 • 48min
The COP30 climate talks are under way In Brazil. What is the point of the conference?
Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of NYU's Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, discusses the focus of COP30 on practical implementation rather than new international agreements. Joining her are Amy Harder from Axios, who refers to this COP as an 'ebb', and Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, emphasizing the private sector's role. They dig into scaling sustainable fuels, tackling industrial emissions, and the importance of aligning business with climate goals for impactful outcomes.
Nov 11, 2025 • 31min
How are businesses rethinking energy and sustainability? COP30 starts in Belem as climate action falters
Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer at Prologis, discusses how the company optimizes logistics with rooftop solar and microgrids to enhance supply chain resilience. Meanwhile, Holly Paeper, President of Commercial HVAC for Trane, explains innovative cooling solutions for data centers and the importance of heat reuse. They highlight the growing demand for energy amidst sustainability goals and share insights on AI’s role in optimizing systems, showcasing how businesses adapt to the evolving energy landscape.
Nov 8, 2025 • 45min
Energy addition, not energy transition? What does it mean for the future of our energy system, and the climate? | Special episode recorded at ADIPEC, the world’s largest energy event
Dr. Carole Nakhle, founder and CEO of Crystol Energy, discusses the idea of energy addition—new low-carbon sources complementing fossil fuels instead of replacing them. John Gilley, CEO of Kent, highlights the challenges and strategies for balancing affordability with climate goals. Clay Siegel from CSIS emphasizes the lasting demand for oil and gas and the implications for global energy security. They explore AI's role in optimizing energy operations and discuss how industry shifts align with geopolitical trends, all while addressing the reality of ongoing emissions.
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
Speed to power: how can America accelerate the build-out of the next grid? | special episode from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington DC
Heather Reams, President of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, discusses the urgent need for bipartisan permitting reform to expand the electricity grid and addresses concerns around renewables. Richard Kauffman, Chair of the Coalition for Green Capital, advocates for innovative financing models to unlock community-scale energy projects. Rob Gramlich, Founder of Grid Strategies, emphasizes the importance of proactive regional transmission planning to meet rising demand. Meanwhile, Theodore Paradise from CTC Global highlights how advanced conductors can double transmission capacity, aiming for rapid deployment to keep pace with electricity needs.
14 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 60min
AI could break the electricity grid. What do regulators and the industry need to do to keep the lights on?
Neil Chatterjee, former chairman of FERC, discusses the critical impact of politics on energy reliability, warning that without political reform, the lights could go out. Amy Myers Jaffe presents a counterpoint, suggesting that AI could actually save energy rather than exacerbate crises. Cecilio Velasco emphasizes the need for stable policies to attract investment in grid infrastructure. They explore the growing electricity demand driven by AI and the electrification of daily life, debating solutions to maintain grid stability amidst these challenges.
Oct 29, 2025 • 28min
How energy diversification can drive development | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode
Charlotte Wolff-Bye, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at PETRONAS, focuses on net-zero strategies and community empowerment, discussing innovative investments in renewables and carbon capture that support a just transition in Malaysia. Andrew Smart, Senior Managing Director at Accenture, emphasizes the Middle East's role as a vital link between global economies, advocating for digital innovation to enhance regional resilience. Together, they explore how energy diversification can foster economic growth while addressing sustainability challenges.
Oct 23, 2025 • 47min
Permitting reform and the politics of building the grid | Live from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington, D.C.
Matt Christiansen, former General Counsel at FERC, navigates the intricate permitting process, highlighting NEPA reviews as major bottlenecks. Elizabeth Horner explains the political landscape and the need for bipartisan reforms. Daniel Palken discusses the urgent demand from data centers driving the need for accelerated transmission planning. The group debates the balance between environmental protections and faster approvals, emphasizing the critical need for modernized permitting laws to meet rising energy demands.
