Plugged In: the energy news podcast

April's huge blackout across the Iberian peninsula, and parts of France, triggered a storm of debate In Spain and more widely across Europe. Despite the publication of several reports, questions remain over the cause of the outage, what lessons the country’s power system has learned from it and how to strengthen grid resilience,In this episode, Richard Sverrisson speaks to local experts to unravel the findings of a recent report into the outage, the reaction from grid operators, and how the industry is adapting in the aftermath. The discussion explores how Spain’s TSO has shifted into a ‘safe mode’, the renewed reliance on gas generation, and why distributed assets and batteries could hold the key to grid stability in the years ahead.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Pablo Bronte - Spain Editor, Montel NewsGuests:Christina Rentell - Research Lead, Aurora Energy ResearchDaniel Garasa Sagardoy - Europe Solar Analyst, Wood MackenzieEditor: Oscar Birk HellenesProducer: Sarah Knowles

Jerome Le Page is the Chair of the Electricity Committee at Energy Traders Europe, while Jean-Paul Harreman is the Director at Montel Analytics. They discuss the recent rollout of 15-minute day-ahead auctions and its impact on market volatility. Le Page shares insights on trader sentiment and legislative contexts, while Harreman explores zigzag pricing patterns linked to cross-border capacity calculations. Both emphasize the potential for this new granularity to attract flexibility providers and enhance market integration of renewables.

Last week, the UK Prime Minister was the latest leader in Europe to announce his commitment to nuclear energy production by announcing plans to build "a fleet" of small modular reactors (SMRs). The UK's announcement followed similar plans elsewhere in Europe over the last year.Why are we seeing the focus shift from larger nuclear plants to small modular reactors?In this episode, Richard speaks to Rolls Royce to understand the tech behind SMRs, the role they can play in reduce dependance on fossil fuels, and why they could prove to be an economically viable option for Europe's rollout of nuclear energy. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Chris Eales - France Editor, Montel NewsGuest: Sophie Macfarlane-Smith - Head of Customer Engagement, Rolls Royce SMREditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Earlier this week, Europe’s benchmark carbon price climbed by over 1 EUR to reach a seven-month high. Could it continue to rise? As companies across the EU rush to meet the EU ETS deadline on the 30th September, investment funds’ increase their net long exposure in EU carbon allowances and lower supply could drive the price of EUAs higher. In this episode, Richard speaks to Veyt's Carbon Analyst about why the industry expects a tight carbon market next year, and what impact the reduced allowance thresholds and the introduction of CBAM will have on prices. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Cem Bektas - Carbon Reporter, Montel NewsGuests: Ingvild Sørhus - Manager of EU Carbon Analysis, VeytEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Paul Voss, Director General at European Aluminium, and Axel Eggert, Director General of EUROFER, tackle the urgent issues facing the EU's heavy industry. They discuss the critical impact of a $750 billion US-EU trade deal and the shock of 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. As they highlight the challenges posed by Chinese overcapacity and rising energy prices, Voss and Eggert advocate for urgent policy reforms to enhance competitiveness. Their candid insights reflect the precarious future of these vital industries within Europe.

Kia Marie Jerichau, Vice President at Energinet, Matthew Creese, Head of Market Operations for Wind and Solar at Aneo, and Priyanka Shinde, Nordic Market Expert at Montel Analytics, dive into the chaos of the Nordic energy markets post-March 2025 price crash. They discuss volatile balancing markets and the struggle of small producers navigating complex systems. The challenges of algorithmic trading, rapid market changes, and the need for better regulation and adaptability are key themes. A real eye-opener for anyone interested in renewable energy dynamics!

Volatile prices, falling liquidity and declining profitability are some of the many headwinds the Nordic power market faces in the months ahead.In addition, could political meddling create more damage to the highly complex and problematic market? And why are public misunderstandings about the issue fuelling political debate?In this episode, Richard speaks to our guests at the Montel Nordic Energy Day in Oslo. They discuss why a free and competitive market is still the best solution, and they explain the changes that need to be made to the market design in order for it to function better. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Olav Vilnes - Nordic Editor, Montel NewsGuests: Kolbjørn Hembre, CEO at Entelios & Fredrik Bodecker, CEO at Bodecker PartnersEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah KnowlesVideographer: Oscar Birk

According to a recent report from Montel Analytics, the UK and Ireland curtailed GBP 152m of renewable energy in the first half of 2025.Is this counter productive to the UK’s green and clean energy goals? Who foots the bill? Is the lack of adequate infrastructure in Europe’s grid hindering the green energy transition?In this episode, Richard speaks to the author of the report and Renewable UK about how much curtailment is costing the industry, how it’s affecting investments in wind power projects and why batteries are essential in storing excess green energy productionHost: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Gabriel Power - UK Reporter, Montel NewsGuests: Fintan Devenney - Senior Energy Analyst, Montel & Barnaby Wharton - Director of Future Electricity Systems, RenewableUKEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Temperatures reached 40C across Europe this week in the latest of several heatwaves which have engulfed the continent this summer.  In response, power prices soared in many regions, with countries like France curbing nuclear power production because rivers – used for cooling purposes –  became too warm.In this week’s episode, Richard discuss the impact of rising temperatures on power production, consumption and prices. How can Europe futureproof its power market from extreme weather conditions?Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Julia Demirdag - News correspondent, Montel NewsGuests:Robin Girmes -  Managing Director, Energy WeatherPawel Czyzak - Europe Programme Director, EmberEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles 

It’s been 10 years since the Paris Climate Agreement entered intro force. Yet, tariffs, trade wars, and the reversal of the US’s climate policies are putting the global energy transition at risk.  Where does this leave the relationship between the EU, the US, and other global trading partners? And should Europe’s solar and wind developers shun Chinese products? In this week’s episode, Richard speaks to Lord Adair Turner - Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission about carbon pricing, the cost of the energy transition, and China’s influence in the future of green energy.  Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Contributor: Cem Bektas - Carbon correspondent, Montel News Guest: Lord Adair Turner - Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission Editors: Bled Maliqi, Oscar Birk Producer: Sarah Knowles