

The Pexapark Podcast
Pexapark
Welcome to The Pexapark Podcast, your fortnightly edit of impactful intelligence in renewable energy, Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and beyond. Every two weeks, our COO & Co-Founder Luca Pedretti kicks off with key market, regulatory, pricing and deal making updates in Europe and North America.In the second part, he’s hosting an in-depth conversation with an industry expert, discussing candid perspectives on the critical trends shaping our sector. For more insights, register for a free Pexapark account here: https://go.pexapark.com/podcasts
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 40min
From Electrons to Intelligence: How Crusoe Powers AI with Modular, 24/7 Energy
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we unpack Europe’s latest regulatory moves, starting with Italy’s FER-X auction, which drew over 20 GW in bids – double its cap – signaling a shift to a more mature offtake market. In Germany, BESS deal activity remains strong despite a court-backed BKZ grid levy. Meanwhile, the UK delivers long-awaited clarity: CfD tenors extended to 20 years and zonal pricing officially ruled out.In the second part of the episode, Forrest Carroll – Energy & Infrastructure Lead at Crusoe – joins us to unpack how AI infrastructure is reshaping energy procurement. From modular compute units to megawatt-scale data center builds, Forrest shares a first-hand view into how power strategy meets AI ambition. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:What it means to be a vertically integrated AI/data center operatorModular compute unit sizing and client types (hyperscalers, enterprise AI)Power procurement strategy: site selection, contract structuring, energy mixUse of PPAs, hedges, batteries, and carbon tracking mechanismsDemand flexibility and whether full utilization leaves room for rampingWhat energy developers and utilities should better understand about data center needsUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Jul 10, 2025 • 39min
Charged up: The rise of Europe’s BESS offtake market
Apostolis Valassas, Lead BESS Analyst at Pexapark, dives into the booming battery energy storage offtake market in Europe. He discusses the evolution of contract structures, highlighting the shift from merchant agreements to tolling models. The conversation covers key geographical trends, with emerging players like Greece and Bulgaria gaining traction. Apostolis also shares insights on regulatory impacts and the future outlook for energy contracts, emphasizing the balance between financial stability and market dynamism.

Jun 26, 2025 • 40min
Optimising the Future: Enspired CEO Jürgen Mayerhofer on the Storage Market’s Next Moves
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we reflect on the proposed rollback of the US’ clean energy tax credit scheme for renewables and potential short-term and medium-term impacts. More topics include the latest findings from Pexapark’s intensified BESS insights, including tolling price discovery; the current bid ranges in Germany; BESS financing structures based on revenue and business models and more.In the second part of the episode, Juergen Mayerhofer – CEO and Founder of enspired, BESS and power assets optimiser – discusses the exciting but challenging task of helping an asset owner understand the behaviour of a BESS asset. Enjoy a discussion on themes including: The story behind enspired, entrepreneurial tips and success storiesThe evolution and outlook of the European optimisation marketThe commitment to price transparency and the recipe for trusted revenue benchmarksAre tolling agreements the “PPAs” of BESS?Outlook of revenue models and the possible financing requirements of the future Episode breakdown:00:00- Intro01:16-Regulation04:56-Deals & Prices10:14- Wider Energy World 13:43- Interview with Juergen MayerhoferLinks:AI and renewablesUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Jun 12, 2025 • 39min
Unpacking the dynamic Italian PPA market
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we review some turbulent developments in anti-renewables regulation at the US state and federal levels, as well as the evolution of ERCOT’s PPA price assessments following the market’s revised long-term load forecast. More topics include Denmark’s revised offshore wind framework, and the implications of booming solar in Poland, Portugal, Spain and France. In the second part of the episode, David Battista – Analyst & Price Reporter at Pexapark, sheds light on the particularly dynamic energy transition story of Italy. For years, Italy’s PPA market has been talked about more for its potential than its performance. However, dynamics have shifted significantly due to increased regulatory support and strong buyer interest, all while the country is exhibiting early signs of an epic storage boom. To understand the momentum, enjoy the discussion around: Breakdown of recent PPA activity and main playersThe drivers behind the momentum and the challenges ahead Pricing environment and risks BESS developments and the key regulatory themes investors need to know Links:RenewaFi by Pexapark: Renewables industry fears ugly outcomes from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”RenewaFi by Pexapark: New net load scenarios: Why supply assumptions matterEnverus analysisUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

May 29, 2025 • 41min
The rise of the next-gen IPP
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we review the latest regulatory updates, including Greece’s fast track of 4.7 GW of new standalone merchant BESS and Germany’s consultation on a grid fee reform. More topics include a spotlight on the current play of Virtual PPAs in Europe and lessons from Spain’s April 2025 blackout from a PPA contractual perspective. In the second part of the episode, we invited Mario Schirru – CEO of Encavis AG, to discuss the burning topic of the rise of the next generation Independent Power Producer (IPP). We recently had a widely shared post on LinkedIn about how developers are evolving into full-scale energy businesses, managing merchant risk, revenue optimisation, and more. The response made clear that this shift is top of mind across the industry, so we invited Mario to discuss topics including: What does being an IPP entail, and why are IPPs the biggest risk-takers in the industryKey reflection points on how Encavis AG is mastering its business model evolutionWhat is within the realm of possibilities for IPPs, and what is the outlook on how the model could evolve Links:Virtual PPAs: State of play in 2025Lessons from Spain’s April 2025 Blackout: Making PPA contracts resilient to unforeseen eventsThe Rise of the Nextgen IPP LinkedIn post Unlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

May 15, 2025 • 35min
What makes ERCOT such a vibrant and complex energy ecosystem?
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In this episode, before we go deep into the dynamics of the Texas energy market, we start with a edit of key developments in European renewables. Topics include early takeaways from the Spanish blackout, the latest from Italy’s MACSE auction and possible strategy decisions by players, and Germany’s proposes bidding zone split. We also dive into the increasingly notable trend of rising balancing costs, the price divergence in the Nordics and more. In the second part of the episode, Ian Niebor – Head of Energy Transition Research at Enverus, offers a deep dive into what makes ERCOT one of the most vibrant and complex energy ecosystems globally, citing its diversity of resources, policy landscape, and rapid infrastructure development. On the supply side, the discussion highlights continued growth in solar, storage, and selective gas capacity additions, tempered by policy fragmentation and limited coordination mechanisms.Unlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

13 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 36min
From Backbone to Back up? Understanding Gas’s Role in Setting Future Power Prices
Seb Kennedy, Founding Editor of Energy Flux, sheds light on the dynamic landscape of global gas markets. He discusses whether gas can still anchor European energy prices as renewable sources rise. There's a thought-provoking exploration of gas's potential transition to backup power and the implications of increased battery integration. Additionally, geopolitical factors, especially the Ukraine situation, are impacting future pricing regimes. Kennedy's insights into US and European LNG margins provide a captivating glimpse into what's ahead for the natural gas sector.

Apr 17, 2025 • 33min
Inside the Booming European Short-Term PPA Market
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In this episode, we start by unpacking Italy’s first FER X auction and how it could impact the country’s PPA market. More topics include Poland’s new support scheme for BESS, the two drivers affecting PPA valuations recently, and the data centers boom in the Nordics, followed by a dive deep into one of the fastest-evolving segments of the renewable energy landscape – the booming European short-term PPA market.Boon-Li Wong, Head of Portfolio & Trading Services here at Pexapark, carries over 15 years of experience in energy trading and risk management across global markets. His mandate over the past years has been to optimize revenue for operational portfolios, an area of increased focus for asset owners as renewables investment becomes more dynamic. Enjoy the discussion on: How the Short-term (ST) PPA market differs from traditional PPAs for project financing The drivers behind looking at such products for revenue strategy: market events, prices, and the importance of timing How deal structures are evolving alongside market changes and the needs of asset owners: synergies between negative prices and baseload PPAs The current market size and the near-term outlook Unlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Apr 3, 2025 • 32min
The 24/7 Challenge: Matching Clean Power Hour by Hour
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In this episode, we take you through a ride from Texas’ forward-looking ‘firming obligation’ proposal for new renewables, to the latest headlines in Europe – including Portugal’s political quicksand, Poland’s possible upcoming onshore wind opportunity, and the latest subsidy schemes developments in Greece, France and the UK and more, followed by a deep dive into the challenges of hourly matching for 24/7 straight from hands-on industry experience. Juan Pablo Cedra, is the CEO & Founder at Renewabl – a marketplace for 24/7 carbon-free energy – and the entrepreneurial mastermind behind many net zero-driven ventures. The latest venture helps large corporates improve their carbon-free energy (CFE) score by connecting them with local suppliers with hourly supply capabilities. Enjoy our discussion on:JP’s journey from Zeigo to RenewablPractical insight from how the venture is engineered to catalyze evolving procurement strategiesThe challenges and the green premium range of 24/7 hourly matchingWhy data and regulation will shape what comes nextLinks to notes from the episode:Enverus Unlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >

Mar 20, 2025 • 35min
Europe's Dynamic Battery Storage Business Models
Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! On the regulatory front of this episode, we discuss the European Investment Bank's credit guarantee scheme for PPAs, and some initial reactions from industrial offtakers. More topics include the vibrant Italian energy storage market and its latest developments and reflections on the increased support for nuclear coming from big tech companies, followed by an in-depth conversation on all things battery offtake agreements in Europe. Besides a Pexapark alumni, Brian Knowles is also a long-standing battery geek and the Director of Energy Storage & Power Marketing at Cube Green Energy. Brian has been at the forefront of energy storage development since the nascent days, bringing a valuable perspective to today's dynamic and rapid market developments in Europe. Enjoy the discussion covering topics such as: Why is Germany at the front and center for many developers? Is there convergence of business models across Europe? What insight on tolling agreements can we learn from his US experience? What drives co-location decisions from an IPP standpoint? Links to notes from the episode:Nat Bullard Annual PresentationAmazon, Google and Meta support tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050J.P. Morgan's 15th Annual Energy Paper Pexapark Renewables Market Outlook 2025Pexapark's upcoming Energy Storage AcademiesUnlock More PPA Market InsightsRegister for your free Pexapark account to stay updated on the latest energy transition trends. Learn more >