Plugged In: the energy news podcast

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

This is the fifth episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. In this final special episode, Richard speaks to Dr Annegret Groebel, President of the Council of European Energy Regulators and Director of International Relations at the German Regulatory Authority, BNetzA. They talk about the challenges with energy regulation in 2025, and what the next move is for Germany and its bidding zones. Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: Dr Annegret Groebel - President of the Council of European Energy Regulators & Director of International Relations at BNetzAEditors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah KnowlesProducer: Sarah Knowles

Jarand Rystad, CEO and Founder of Rystad Energy, dives into the shifting landscape of global energy. He highlights the changes in China's oil demand and its transition from coal to renewables. The podcast discusses the complexities surrounding hydrogen production and the challenges of battery and solar power in Europe. Rystad also sheds light on the competitive dynamics between Europe and China, emphasizing the need for strategic responses in energy markets.

This is the third episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. In this episode, Richard speaks to Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, CEO of Finnish TSO, Fingrid. They discuss the ongoing issues with balancing Finland’s power market, the oversupply of renewable energy in the Nordics, and the future of Finland’s nuclear energy programme. Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: Asta Sihvonen-Punkka - CEO, FingridEditors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah KnowlesProducer: Sarah Knowles

This is the second episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. In this episode, Richard interviews Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO of Eon, about Europe’s power market. They discuss the boom in renewable energy, the issues surrounding security of supply, and the importance of investing in Europe’s grid infrastructure. Presenter: Richard Sverisson - Editor-in-Chief Guest: Leonhard Birnbaum - CEO of EonEditors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah KnowlesProducer: Sarah Knowles

This is the first episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. In this episode, Richard speaks to Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK about the state of the UK’s energy sector one year on from the Labour government coming into power. They discuss the UK’s renewable energy targets, the UK government’s green energy policies, and the problem of rising energy prices. Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief Guest: Dhara Vyas - CEO of Energy UKEditors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah KnowlesProducer: Sarah Knowles

The US, China, and now Europe are seeing a surge in data centres as big tech firms and other businesses develop their AI models. But, will these data centres cause the dramatic rise in power consumption that many are predicting? In this episode, Richard goes deep into the subject with data centre experts from RISE and Greenscale to understand who the tenants of these data centres are, what challenges the tech and energy industries need to overcome together, and how data centres will continue to evolve with the exponential growth in AI. Presenter: Richard SverrissonContributor: Alina Trabattoni - Italy Correspondent, Montel NewsGuests:Tor Björn Minde - Head of ICE Datacenter Unit at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden)Liam Newcombe - Senior Vice President of Product, Energy Strategy and Innovation, GreenscaleEditors: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

This week, LNG prices rose to a 10-week high in Europe in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.  With the shadow of a threat from Iran to close its vital waterway for global LNG shipments, in this episode, we discuss the likelihood of this happening, the political power dynamics at play and the implications for global energy markets.Richard speaks to Eurasia Group’s Head of Energy and Kpler’s Principal LNG Analyst about the changes in shipping movements that we have seen around the strait in response to Israel and Iran’s attacks, and what this tells us about how the energy markets have so far reacted.Host: Richard SverrissonContributor: Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Laura Page - Principal LNG Analyst, KplerHenning Gloystein - Practice Head of Energy, Climate & Resources, Eurasia GroupEditor: Bled MaliqiProducer: Sarah Knowles

Joining the discussion are Priyanka Shinde, a Nordic market expert from Montel Analytics; Vesa Ahoniemi, Chief Commercial Officer at Winda Energy; Riku Merikoski, Senior Power Analyst at Axpo Solutions AG; and Suvi Paaso, Managing Director of Power Deriva. They dive into the phenomenon of negative power prices in the Nordics, detailing the effects on renewable energy investments and wind power production. The guests also unpack the evolving role of nuclear energy, market flexibility, and potential future trends in energy pricing.