Plugged In: the energy news podcast

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.Podcast editor: Bled Maliqi

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 NewsEditor: Bled Maliqi

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.

2025 is set to be a year of continuing geopolitical turmoil. Donald Trump’s return to the White House will raise the temperature further at a time of major instability in the Middle East along with Russia-Ukraine.Questions remain over where Europe’s gas will come from and a key European power-player, Germany, faces fresh elections in February.In this episode, we delve into the latest geopolitical developments, as well as the key fundamental drivers, and assess their likely impacts, with Wayne Bryan, Principal Associate at the London Stock Exchange Group (and formerly Director of LSEG’s European Gas Research).Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Wayne Bryan, Principal Associate (formerly Director, European Gas Research), London Stock Exchange Group; Andres Cala – Senior LNG Correspondent, MontelEditor: Bled Maliqi

Poland’s energy sector is undergoing a critical, if slow, transition after the election of Donald Tusk as prime minister exactly one year ago. Coal still dominates the mix despite a greater use of gas and a growth in renewables. Grid modernisation and energy security have taken centre stage. Significant challenges include high energy costs, particularly for industry. There’s also the matter of where government subsidies could, and should, be spent. Issues around policy cohesion, public and industry engagement and regional impacts all persist.In this episode, we delve into the latest developments shaping Poland’s energy landscape. Montel’s experts provide a snapshot of the latest news, and Joanna Pandera, founder of the Forum Energii think-tank in Poland, discusses the milestones, challenges, and what Poland’s energy transition means for Europe and beyond. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Joanna Pandera, Founder and CEO, Forum Energii, Professor at European University in Florence;  Hubert Put, Senior Energy Consultant, Montel;Marcin Czekanski,Poland Correspondent, MontelEditor: Bled Maliqi

This week, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change released a report declaring, “a new nuclear age is beginning,” arguing that nuclear power is critical in meeting global climate goals. But how is this renaissance different from earlier proclamations of an atomic revival?In this episode, Richard talks with report co-author Tone Langengen about the case for a nuclear revival and the hurdles still in its way. Joining the discussion is nuclear expert Paul Dorfman, who questions whether nuclear can truly compete with renewables.They cover the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs), the challenges of cost overruns, and whether nuclear and renewables can work together to create a resilient, low-carbon grid.Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Tone Langengen - Senior Policy Advisor, Climate & Energy Policy at the Tony Blair Institute For Global Change. Co-author of this report “A New Nuclear Age”; Dr Paul Dorfman - Visiting Fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit of the University of Sussex; Chris Eales – France Editor, MontelEditor: Bled Maliqi

Frank Boerman, a Process Specialist at TenneT, and Priyanka Shinde, Nordic Market Expert at Montel News, dive into the complexities of flow-based market coupling in the Nordic power market. They discuss the transition from conventional methods to this new system, highlighting its potential for greater efficiency. The duo addresses forecasting challenges, pricing discrepancies, and the intricate dynamics of the electricity market. They also emphasize the need for transparency in data and market operations to enhance stability and stakeholder confidence.

Global leaders at COP29 were under a huge amount of pressure going into talks this week following the UN Secretary General public voicing his concerns over the state of negotiations.    Criticisms of this year’s talks and the huge scale event that COP has become in recent years begs the question: is COP too big, and does it need reforming? We also discuss Europe's carbon market, current drivers and the reasons why prices may continue to rise.  In this episode, Richard speaks to Trevor Sikorski from Energy Aspects and our Carbon Correspondent reports from COP29 in Baku.  Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Trevor Sikorski – Head of Natural Gas and Carbon Research at Energy Aspects.Editor: Bled Maliqi

At the start of November, the Swedish government announced that it was vetoing plans for 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea due to security concerns. The announcement was met with much criticism from developers and lobby groups who felt blindsided by the cancellations and concerned about what this decision suggests about Sweden’s future energy priorities.In this episode, Richard speaks to WindEurope about their fears regarding Sweden’s decision and discusses the nuances of Sweden’s Ministry of Defence with Defence Consultant and former Swedish Army Lieutenant Colonel. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Giles Dickson – CEO, WindEurope; Tobhias Wikstrom – CEO, Parachute Consulting; Anton Tigerstedt – Editor Sweden, Montel NewsEditor: Bled Maliqi

It has been a big week for global politics.On the same day that the United States voted Donald Trump as their 47th President, the German coalition government broke down after a budget row over cutting energy costs to companies and financial support for Ukraine.In this episode, Richard explores what this new US administration will mean for energy markets, and he speaks to one of our guests live from Munich about what the initial reaction to the news has been in Germany. Listen to a discussion on where this leaves the country – and the wider energy transition – as it enters a period of limbo until a new government is elected. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, MontelGuests: Nadia Martin Wiggen – Director, Svelland Capital; Tobias Federico – Managing Director of Energy Brainpool GmbH & Co. KGEditor: Bled Maliqi