Plugged In: the energy news podcast

This week we explore the growing energy security challenges facing Europe amid a “seismic” shift in the global geopolitical order. In light of this, we discuss plans by the European Commission to support industry and keep energy affordable. Will these measures be enough to protect the continent from instability and price shocks? Kristian Ruby, secretary general of Eurelectric, weighs in on whether the bloc is moving fast enough to secure its energy future in an increasingly uncertain world, while pondering the role of flexibility in stabilising power markets and opines on how electric vehicles could be a game-changer for grid resilience. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel.Guests: Kristian Ruby – Secretary General, Eurelectric; Fatima Sadouki, Energy Correspondent, Montel.Podcast editor: Bled Maliqi, Montel. 

As Germany’s Christian Democrat alliance (CDU/CSU) is in talks about forming a new government with the Social Democrats, this week’s episode discusses the country’s role in the new global order. It comes against a backdrop where US president Donald Trump is abandoning old friends in Europe and proposing a trade war instead of aiding old allies. Not only could this have implications for US-sourced LNG but the new government in Berlin must make key decisions on the future of fossil fuels, the renewables transition and on whether to embrace hydrogen. The coalition will also have to deal with pressure from domestic industry and consumers demanding cheaper and more reliable power provision, as well as a backlash against wind turbines in the east of the country.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News.Guest: Claudia Kemfert, Professor of Energy, Economics and Energy Policy at Leuphana University. She also heads the Energy, Transport, Environment Department at the German Institute for Economic Research.Podcast editor: Bled Maliqi, Montel. 

It was Europe’s biggest importer of Russian gas prior to the Ukraine invasion but Russia’s cutting of gas supplies to Europe pushed Uniper to the brink of collapse.It was nationalised in one of the biggest corporate bailouts in German history.Montel’s Editor-in-Chief has been speaking to Uniper’s COO, Holger Kreetz, on the firm’s recovery, Germany’s energy transition and the imminent snap election.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News.Guests: Katharina Johannsen, Montel News Germany.Holger Kreetz, Chief Operating Officer, Uniper.Podcast editor: Oscar Birk, Montel. 

Europe’s energy sector is caught in the crossfire of rising populism. With elections approaching in Norway and Germany, governments are under pressure to prioritize short-term price stability over long-term market efficiency. Norway’s decision to impose fixed electricity prices has sparked concerns about weakened price signals and energy market fragmentation. Meanwhile, in Germany, the far-right AfD is gaining ground, threatening the country’s renewable energy expansion and interconnectivity with neighbours.This week, Plugged In comes to you from Essen at the E-World Energy & Water trade fair, where the future of Europe’s energy markets hangs in the balance. Montel’s Siobhan Hall sets the scene before we hear from Hanns Koenig, Managing Director for Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research, and Amund Vik, former Norwegian deputy minister for petroleum and energy.We discuss Norway’s shift toward energy protectionism, the growing backlash against renewables, the risks of fixed electricity pricing, and whether Europe’s integrated energy market is at risk of political unravelling.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel.Guests: Hanns Koenig, Managing Director for Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research; Amund Vik, Senior Advisor, Eurasia Group; Stephen Woodhouse, Director, Afry; Siobhan Hall, Brussels Correspondent, Montel NewsPodcast editor: Bled Maliqi, Montel. 

The UK has announced hugely ambitious plans - clean power by 2030. This will involve a massive roll-out of wind, onshore and offshore, solar as well as an expansion of grids and storage. A challenge, certainly. But not impossible, according to Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive of Ofgem, the UK's energy market regulator. The CEO also explains why the watchdog thinks zonal, rather than national pricing is the best way forward for the country. In the first episode of Plugged In: the energy news podcast we discuss how the country can meet its targets, the obstacles that stand in the way and why the UK is not close to running out of gas. In fact, the UK will need gas in the future, albeit in a significantly less dependent way, according to Ofgem.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News.Guest: Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive Officer, Ofgem; Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. 

Norway’s energy sector is at the centre of a dramatic political storm. With an election looming in September, Finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum pulled his Centre Party out of the government, warning of greater dependence on what he calls Europe’s “dysfunctional” electricity market. But political uncertainty is not the only challenge — Norway faces a growing supply deficit, AI-driven demand spikes from data centres, and increasing hurdles in building new capacity. This week, the Montel Weekly Podcast comes to you from Oslo at the Pareto Securities Power & Renewable Energy Conference. Montel’s Petter Udland sets the scene before we hear from Lars Ove Skorpen, Director Power & Renewable Energy at Pareto Securities. We discuss the government crisis over the EU’s 4th Energy Package, the impact of AI and DeepSeek on Norway’s power demand, the challenges of expanding interconnectors, and why investment in new capacity is not keeping up with demand. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel. Guests: Lars Ove Skorpen - Director Power & Renewable Energy, Pareto Securities Petter Udland, Montel journalist, Oslo

In his first hours back in office, US president Donald Trump issued a series of sweeping executive orders designed to prioritise fossil fuels, dismantle environmental policies and expand American energy dominance. From withdrawing from the Paris agreement to resuming LNG export permits and halting offshore wind projects, Trump’s agenda marks a dramatic pivot from the previous administration.This week’s Montel Weekly Podcast delves into the consequences of these policy shifts on global energy markets, renewables and climate goals. Are Europe’s LNG needs creating new dependencies? How will domestic opposition shape the future of US energy?Host Richard Sverrisson is joined by Montel’s Andres Cala and energy analyst Henning Gloystein to break down these developments. They discuss the challenges for renewables, the strategic importance of US LNG, and whether Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” strategy will deliver on its promises.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel.Guests: Henning Gloystein - Director, Energy, Climate & Resources at Eurasia GroupAndres Cala - LNG Correspondent, Montel News

The recent damage to the Estlink 2 electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia has highlighted the precarious nature of power supply amid increased fears of a hybrid war with Russia.Finnish police are investigating whether a ship with links to Russia was involved in sabotage, with the cable – set to be offline for months for repairs – thought to have been damaged by the vessel’s trailing anchor.In response, Nato has enhanced its military presence in the Baltic Sea, while Estonia has sent a patrol ship to protect the remaining Estlink 1 power cable.This week’s pod discusses the spate of cuts to data and power links that could point to such nefarious activities, the market impact and the volatile political situation in northern Europe which evokes memories of the Cold War.   Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel. Guests: Prof Paula Kivimaa, Research Professor at the Finnish Environment Institute in Helsinki; Fredrik Bodecker, Founding Partner and CEO of Bodecker Partners in Malmo; Olav Vilnes, Nordics Editor, Montel News.

Germany’s energy sector is at a pivotal moment, with political shifts, economic challenges, and the energy transition shaping its future. This week on the Montel Weekly Podcast, Katharina Johannsen, Montel’s Berlin reporter, and Tobias Federico, senior analyst at Montel Analytics, join us to discuss key issues ahead of Germany’s February election.We’ll explore how political changes, including Elon Musk’s favourite German party and the prospect of a Trump presidency, could impact energy policy and markets. The episode also delves into the downturn in German industrial production, expectations for energy prices in 2025, and the critical challenges facing Germany’s energy transition. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Tobias Federico , Managing Director, Senior Analyst, Montel Analytics; Katharina Johannsen – Berlin Correspondent, Montel News

Enza Tedesco, Italy Editor for Montel News, discusses Italy's renewable energy growth and the challenges of dependency on Russian gas. Nathan Witkop, Editor for the Clean Energy Desk, highlights Europe's transition towards solar amidst market volatility. Olav Vilnes, Nordics Editor, analyzes energy trends in the Nordic markets, while Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, navigates the complex gas market. They explore the implications of geopolitical tensions, Germany's upcoming elections, and predictions for 2025's energy landscape with insightful expert commentary.