Plugged In: the energy news podcast

In this week’s pod, energy expert Claudia Kemfert says Germany’s coal exit plans are a massive disappointment. Listen to a discussion on how the proposals will not end coal generation quickly enough and will come at a far too high cost, both for taxpayers and the climate. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Claudia Kemfert, Head of Department Energy, Transportation, Environment, DIW Berlin, Nora Kamprath Buli, Editor Germany, Montel. 

European carbon prices will strengthen as the 27-nation bloc tightens its climate ambitions over the next 18 months. However, prepare for market volatility in the short term amid Brexit, low gas prices and uncertainty over Germany’s coal exit. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Tom Lord, Head of Trading and Risk Management, Redshaw Advisors, Alessandro Vitelli, Carbon Reporter. 

Hydro levels in the Nordic region are at levels never seen before at this time of year, while southern parts of Europe have also been very wet. Listen to Mr Hydrology, aka Eylert Ellefsen, talk about the unusually high precipitation and the impact on wholesale power prices from Trondheim to Tarragona.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Eylert Ellefsen, senior analyst, EQ. 

Europe’s gas market looks set to remain oversupplied this year with prices likely to be close to record lows. In this week’s episode gas analyst Wayne Bryan questions where the demand will come from to absorb unrelenting flows of LNG and piped gas. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Wayne Bryan, gas analyst, Nathan Witkop, Germany correspondent, Montel. 

Germany will not sign off legislation to exit coal until early this year, but a strong grassroots environmental movement could force politicians to exit the dirty fuel many years before the proposed 2038 date. Listen to a summary of current German energy policy and the potential for a capacity squeeze in 2022. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Tobias Federico, Managing Director, Energy Brainpool. 

In the last pod before Christmas, listen to the Montel team discussing the key issues of 2019, and the significant developments shaping Europe’s energy markets next year. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel, Nora Kamprath Buli, Editor Germany, Montel, Morten Hegna, Sales Director, Montel, Gert Ove Mollestad, Reporter, Montel. Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker.

Next year looks set to deliver record low gas prices amid a perfect bearish storm of an ongoing supply glut, mild weather, record high storage levels and a possible agreement in the Ukraine-Russia transit deal. Listen to four analysts provide their 2019 highlights, and forecasts for next year. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Tor Reier Lilleholt, Head of Analysis, Wattsight, Marcus Ferdinand, Head of EU Power and Carbon Analytics, ICIS, Wayne Bryan, Senior Energy and Commodity Analyst, Alfa Energy, Trevor Sikorski, Head of Natural Gas, Oil and Carbon Research, Energy Aspects. 

What will happen in 2050 when Europe's power system will be close to 100% renewables? Listen to this week's pod as we turn the Green tea leaves towards a low-carbon world and discuss the potential for energy storage using hydrogen and … ammonia.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Gry Aamodt, Vice Preseident Global Drivers, Statkraft, Nora Kamprath Buli, Editor Germany, Montel. 

The dominance of coal in Poland’s energy mix will come to an end – the question is by when and what will replace the dirty fuel. This week’s pod discusses the options open to the country and which form of power generation will expand at the fastest rate.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Arek Zielezny, Managing Director, Laconia Investments, Marcin Czekanski, Poland Correspondent, Montel. 

Corporate demand for guarantees of origin (GOs) will remain strong next year as companies continue to boost their green credentials. However, supply from French auctions and from German facilities should continue to keep prices around 50 eurocents. Listen to expert views on what’s currently driving the GO market.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Alexandra Münzer, Managing Director, Greenfact, Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel.