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

Dr. Annegret Groebel, President of the Council of European Energy Regulators and Director at BNetzA, dives into the future of energy regulation in Germany. She discusses the intricacies of maintaining market integrity and preventing manipulation within the energy sector. The conversation also highlights the importance of preserving the unified German bidding zone while addressing the challenges of the renewable energy transition. Groebel emphasizes community involvement in the permitting processes necessary for expanding grid infrastructure to support Germany's energy goals.

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.

Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, CEO of Fingrid and leader in Finland’s energy transition, discusses pressing challenges in balancing the nation's power market. She highlights the oversupply of renewable energy in the Nordics and the vital role of nuclear energy for reliability—especially during harsh winters. The conversation also delves into the importance of flexible models to meet the rising demand for data centers, as well as innovative solutions for integrating wind energy into the grid, shaping Finland's sustainable energy future.

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

Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, sheds light on the UK's energy landscape one year after the new Labour government took office. She dives into the challenges of rising energy prices and the shift from offshore wind to a stronger focus on nuclear power. The conversation also highlights the importance of community engagement in renewable projects and the need for personalized strategies to ensure energy affordability. With an eye on the future, Vyas emphasizes the urgency for strategic planning as the country moves towards its 2025 energy goals.

Tor Björn Minde, head of the ICE Datacenter Unit at RISE, and Liam Newcombe, Senior VP of Product at Greenscale, dive into the booming data center industry. They discuss how the rise of AI and cloud migration is driving energy consumption, predicting a quadrupling of demand by 2030. The conversation highlights challenges in sustainability, the critical role of data centers in daily life, and the geographical dynamics of where these centers are built. They also touch on innovative strategies to meet growing energy needs efficiently.

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.