Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Casimir Lorenz, Managing Director for Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research, shares insights on the contentious proposal to divide Germany's bidding price zone into five parts. Tobias Federico, Chief Product Officer at Montel, discusses the hedging complications and the political backlash this change has ignited. Morten Pindstrup, International Chief Engineer at Energinet, offers a TSO’s perspective on the challenges involved. Together, they explore the ramifications for Germany and how this split could affect neighboring Denmark’s energy market.

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

Klaus Müller, the President of the German Federal Network Agency, shares insights into Germany's energy market as it braces for winter challenges. He discusses strategies for gas storage amid high prices and geopolitical tensions. The conversation also highlights the urgency of upgrading electricity infrastructure in light of an impending economic recovery. Müller addresses Germany's ambitious renewable energy goals and the necessity for effective investment in grid efficiency. Additionally, he reflects on the implications of possibly splitting price zones in the evolving market landscape.

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.

In this discussion, William D. Magwood, IV, Director General of the Nuclear Energy Agency, sheds light on the nuclear energy revival amid rising decarbonisation goals. He delves into the complexities of financing new reactors and the roles of public and private sectors in absorbing risks. The conversation also touches on the promising potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) for energy security, alongside challenges in uranium supply chains. Magwood highlights the evolving safety and regulatory landscapes that could shape the future of nuclear energy.

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. 

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.