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
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.
11 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 38min
The new nuclear renaissance - real or rhetoric? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode
In a compelling discussion, Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, explores the nuclear industry's revival amid soaring electricity demands and climate goals. She highlights COP28’s pivotal recognition of nuclear power, with 31 countries pledging to triple capacity by 2050. Dr. León discusses the synergy between AI and nuclear, promising reliable, 24/7 clean energy. Her insights on small modular reactors and the need for policy support reveal a dynamic future for nuclear as countries seek energy security while advancing sustainability.
12 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 44min
The connected world of energy | Special episode from Wood Mackenzie
In this engaging discussion, Jason Liu, CEO of Wood Mackenzie and co-author of 'Connected', partners with Sunaina Ocalan, Co-Head at Bernstein Research, to dissect the modern energy landscape. They tackle the complexities of the energy transition, advocating for integrated solutions that combine renewables with gas generation. Sunaina shares insights into corporate strategy adaptations amidst geopolitical uncertainties, while Jason emphasizes the importance of accurate data analytics and AI in strategic planning. Their expertise sheds light on the future of energy investment and decision-making.
Oct 13, 2025 • 40min
Does low-carbon hydrogen still have a future? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode
Join industry leaders Pierre-Étienne Franc, CEO of Hy24, and Alex Tancock, CEO of Intercontinental Energy, as they dissect the evolving landscape of low-carbon hydrogen. With a focus on large-scale projects, they argue that the sector is maturing beyond the initial hype. Pierre-Étienne highlights pivotal markets like refining and steel, while Alex discusses innovative production models using solar and wind resources. Both emphasize hydrogen's complementary role to batteries in heavy transport and the strategic choices behind locational advantages in Australia and Oman.
15 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
How can the grid help AI, and how can AI help the grid? Live from NYU at New York Climate Week, featuring leaders from Nvidia and Amazon | Energy Gang Live from Climate Week
At Climate Week NYC, three industry leaders discuss the intersection of AI and energy. Xizhou Zhou from Wood Mackenzie highlights the rapid expansion of U.S. data centers and their impact on grid stability. Craig Sundstrom of AWS outlines corporate commitments to renewable energy and innovative tariff designs to alleviate rising electricity prices. Meanwhile, Josh Parker from NVIDIA reveals dramatic improvements in AI energy efficiency and how AI can streamline grid operations. The panel tackles the complexities and opportunities of integrating AI with energy systems.
12 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 51min
What do China’s climate commitments mean for energy?
Joining the discussion are David Sandalow, an expert on China's energy policy from Columbia University, and Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council focused on China's energy system and geopolitics. They dive into the significance of China's upcoming climate commitments and its rapid clean energy deployment, including an impressive 217 gigawatts of solar capacity added in 2023. The conversation touches on the implications for global energy markets, AI advancements, and how China's strategic investments could reshape technology and military capabilities.
13 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 48min
Everyone is talking (again!) about a coming revival in nuclear power. What needs to change to make it happen? | More from New York Climate Week
Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, talks about New York's ambitious energy plan, emphasizing advanced nuclear power as a vital component for a stable, emissions-free future. She shares insights on designing safer, modular reactors to meet rising electricity demands. Joining her is Nick Campanella from Barclays, who discusses the financial landscape for nuclear investment and the importance of policy support. They explore challenges like construction risks, consumer willingness to pay, and how recent shifts in energy economics could favor nuclear projects.
5 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 36min
As the pressure for climate action fades, what is driving investment in clean energy? | The big talking points from New York Climate Week
Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group and organizer of New York Climate Week, joins Will Thompson from Barclays to dive into pressing climate discussions. They explore the waning urgency for climate action in the U.S. and how AI's demand for power is reshaping investment strategies. Clarkson highlights global shifts like the rise of affordable solar in Pakistan, while Thompson discusses concerns over power infrastructure amidst soaring electricity needs. Together, they emphasize the importance of effective climate communication to connect with everyday issues and counter misinformation.
Sep 22, 2025 • 43min
Carbon capture could be an important tool for tackling climate change. Can we find productive ways to use that carbon?
In this insightful discussion, Sarah Lamaison, CEO of Dioxycle, shares how her startup is revolutionizing carbon utilization through innovative carbon electrolysis. Tim van den Bergh from the World Economic Forum highlights the potential of CCU in the chemical sector as a means of dual decarbonization. John Ferrier from Wood Mackenzie explores the economic barriers and policy shifts needed to favor carbon utilization over storage. Together, they delve into the challenges and future pathways for making carbon capture a viable solution in combating climate change.
