Plugged In: the energy news podcast

In recent months, the European Commission has published what it describes as “simplified rules” of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), but is the policy still unclear and too complicated for energy and metals traders?In this episode, Richard talks to experts about the CBAM, and why some commodity trading firms  are holding off - despite the official January 2026 start date. Could some be at risk of ceasing trading temporarily?Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Gabriel Power - UK Power Reporter, Montel NewsGuests:Dan Maleski - Senior Environmental Markets Advisor, Redshaw AdvisorsNick Ogilvie - Product Manager, Carbon ChainEditors: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Since parts of Spain, Portugal, and France temporarily lost power on Monday 28th April, TSOs and policy makers across Europe have been quick to try and assess how much their own networks are at risk of a similar blackout.Whilst we await conclusions from Entso-e’s investigations as to the cause of the outage, in this week’s episode Richard speaks to the Secretary General of Eurelectric and Rystad Energy about what this incident tells us about the reliability of Europe’s grid and our increasing dependency on electricity. What does the outage tell us about the need for flexibility and storage in an increasingly green power system?Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Pablo Bronte - Editor, Montel IberiaGuests: Kristian Ruby - Secretary General, EurelectricPratheeksha Ramdas - Senior New Energies Analyst, Rystad EnergyEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

After a long delay, European TSOs finally released their bidding zone review this week. The report was met with much backlash from Germany’s government and industry leaders strongly opposed to the proposal to split its zone into five.In this week’s podcast episode Richard speaks to commentators for and against dividing Germany’s price zone, and explores how the industry can expect TSOs in Germany and the Nordic region to respond in the next six months.Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelContributor: Siobhan Hall - Brussel’s CorrespondentGuests:Casimir Lorenz - Managing Director for Central Europe, Aurora Energy ResearchTobias Federico - Chief Product Officer, Montel Morten Pindstrup - International Chief Engineer, EnerginetEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Norway is the largest exporter of guarantees of origin certificates. Yet last month, the country's government published guidance for industry and union leaders that supported a localised approach, opening up the possibility for double counting of GOs.After Iceland was accused of a similar move last year, we explore whether this latest move is pulling the reliability of the GO market into question amid continuously falling prices.In this week's episode, Richard speaks to Daniel Arnesson from Veyt about where the confidence is in the GO market, and when prices will start to rise again.Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelContributor: Gert Ove Mollestad - Norway Editor, MontelGuest: Daniel Arnesson - Manager of Renewable Power Certificates, Veyt Editors: Oscar BirkProducer: Sarah Knowles

Oil and gas prices plummeted in the immediate aftermath of the trade war between the US and China.With many expecting oil and gas prices to continue to decline as a result of Trump's tariffs, the trade war raises raises fundamental questions about the profitability of oil production. Will oil producers feel inspired to "drill baby drill", as Trump famously promised, if prices continue to fall?In this episode, Richard speaks to Saul Kavonic, Head of Energy Research at MST Marquee, about the impact on global trade flows, prices and why an expected boost in LNG in 2026 may not materialise.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsContributor: Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: Saul Kavonic - Head of Energy Research, MST MarqueeEditor: Oscar BirkProducer: Sarah Knowles 

This week, Trump's staggering tariffs on Asia and Europe caused turmoil in global equity and energy markets - as they took effect and were paused - raising many concerns within the energy sector about prices, trade flows, and the future of renewables investments.With the situation changing day-by-day, even hour by hour, Richard speaks to Norges Bank Investment Management - Norway's Oil Fund - about the state of the global renewables markets, and what long-term impact the events of this week will have on the energy transition.Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelContributor: Olav Vilnes - Norway Editor, MontelGuest: Harald von Heyden - Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure, Norges Bank Investment ManagementPodcast Editors: Oscar Birk, Bled MaliqiPodcast Producer: Sarah Knowles

In this week's episode, the president of the federal network agency discusses the critical issues facing Germany's energy market as the country waits for the new government to take the reins.How will Germany - and Europe - fill gas storage ahead of the winter, given the current unattractive prices? We also talk about the pressure the country faces to split its price zone, and the outlook for power demand amid a challenging macro-economic environment for German industry. Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest:  Klaus Müller - President, The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur); Nathan Witkop - Editor, Clean Energy DeskEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

In this engaging discussion, Simon Gallagher, Managing Director of UK Network Services, delves into the fallout from a major power outage at Heathrow, caused by a transformer fire. He explores why backup systems failed to keep the airport operational despite two functional substations. Gallagher raises urgent questions about the vulnerabilities of the UK's energy infrastructure and contrasts Heathrow's power strategies with those of data centers. The conversation highlights the critical need for improved resilience in energy supply, with significant implications for travel and business.

Over the past year, many countries in Europe and beyond have announced plans to expand their nuclear programmes or build new reactors.As the pressure mounts for countries to start delivering on their decarbonisation goals and have a tighter grasp on their energy security, it begs the question: has “the road to net zero” become “the road to nuclear”?In this week’s episode, Richard speaks to the Director General of the Nuclear Energy Agency about what has triggered this latest revival in nuclear, and how the private and public sectors will need to decide who takes on the financial risk of building new atomic reactors. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: William D. Magwood, IV - Director General, Nuclear Energy AgencyChristopher Eales - France Editor, Montel NewsEditor: Bled Maliqi, MontelProducer: Sarah Knowles 

In this week’s episode we discuss how unprecedented global risks — from escalating trade tensions and hybrid warfare to rising populism — are reshaping Europe's energy markets. Statkraft's CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal shares insights into the company's approach to project prioritisation, reveals why the green transition will inevitably continue despite near-term hurdles and discusses how companies can build local support for renewables amid growing opposition. Birgitte also weighs in on Norway’s controversial market intervention, the fixed-price electricity retail contract, and addresses criticism around regulatory hurdles and delays to new capacity projects.Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel.Guest: Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal – CEO, Statkraft; Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel.Podcast editor: Bled Maliqi, Montel.