Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Montel News
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Coming from the heart of the Montel newsroom, Editor-in-Chief, Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson and his team of journalists explore the news headlines in the energy sector, bringing you in depth analysis of the industry’s leading stories each week.   Richard speaks to experts, analysts, regulators, and senior business leaders to the examine not just the what, but the why behind the decisions directing the markets and shaping the global transition to a green economy.   New episodes are available every Thursday.

  1. Gulf Ceasefire: fragile or firm?

    21 HR AGO

    Gulf Ceasefire: fragile or firm?

    A fragile ceasefire in the Gulf offers a moment of relief;  but is it already beginning to unravel and will it have lasting implications for gas supply in the region and far beyond? Recorded on the morning of April 9, amid fast-moving geopolitical developments, this special episode examines what the latest developments mean for global energy markets, LNG flows, and Europe’s energy security. Is this ceasefire a genuine turning point, or simply a pause before further escalation?  Host Richard Sverrisson speaks with Montel’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Laurence Walker, before diving deeper with leading analysts Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz and Arne Lohmann-Rasmussen. Together, they unpack the reality behind halted LNG tankers, the uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing risks facing global gas markets. As tensions remain high and clarity remains low, one thing is certain: energy markets are entering a new phase of volatility.   #EnergyMarkets #LNG #Geopolitics #GulfCrisis #Ceasefire #GasMarkets #EnergyCrisis #EuropeEnergy #StraitOfHormuz #GlobalEnergy #EnergySecurity #Commodities #Podcast #EnergyTransition   Host Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, Lead Energy Analyst (Europe), IEEFA Arne Anders Lohmann Rasmussen, Chief Analyst, Global Risk Management Editor Oscar Birk & Alexandra Carlon  Producer Alexandra Carlon

    33 min
  2. PPA slowdown – temporary or permanent?

    1 DAY AGO

    PPA slowdown – temporary or permanent?

    In this episode of Plugged In, we return to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and their role in Europe’s energy transition. After years of rapid expansion, the PPA market hit a slowdown in 2025. Falling capture rates, rising negative prices and increasing volatility have made deals harder to structure and price, forcing both buyers and sellers to rethink how risk is shared. At the same time, renewable capacity continues to grow, reshaping price dynamics and pushing the market into a more complex and mature phase. So is this a temporary slowdown… or a fundamental shift in how the PPA market works? Richard speaks to Luca Pedretti, COO and co-founder of Pexapark, and Chirag Ahuja, Implementation Director at Broadpeak Partners, to break down the data, trends and structural changes shaping the market. Setting the scene is our Italy correspondent, Alina Trabattoni. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Alina Trabattoni – Italy Correspondent, Montel Luca Pedretti – COO & Co-founder, Pexapark Chirag Ahuja – Implementation Director, Broadpeak Partners Editor: Oscar Birk Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyMarkets #PPAs #Renewables #EnergyTransition #PowerMarkets #BatteryStorage #CleanEnergy #EnergyTrading #ElectricityMarkets #NetZero

    43 min
  3. Coal makes a comeback

    2 APR

    Coal makes a comeback

    In this episode of Plugged In, we turn to a topic we haven’t covered often; but one that’s rapidly moving back into the spotlight: coal. As war in the Middle East disrupts LNG supply chains and drives gas prices sharply higher, European power markets are being forced to adapt. With gas-fired generation becoming increasingly expensive, coal is, at least temporarily, regaining economic relevance. We’re now seeing early signs of increased coal imports, particularly in key markets like Germany, alongside shifting profitability dynamics between coal and gas-fired generation. So is this just a short-term market reaction… or a more significant structural change?  Richard  speaks to Toby Hassall, Lead Analyst at London Stock Exchange Group, and Firat Ergene, Lead Insight Analyst at Kpler, join the podcast to break down the data, covering fuel switching, regional demand, price dynamics, and what forward markets are signalling for winter and beyond. Setting the scene is our own Laurence Walker.   Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Laurence Walker – Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Toby Hassall – Lead Analyst, London Stock Exchange Group Firat Ergene – Lead Insight Analyst, Kpler Editor: Oscar Birk Producer: Alexandra Carlon

    32 min
  4. Another Power Squeeze?

    26 MAR

    Another Power Squeeze?

    In the third episode of our energy crisis miniseries, we turn to Europe’s power markets, where rising gas prices, renewed volatility and political uncertainty are once again putting the electricity system under pressure. Although the current crisis is not a repeat of 2022, it is exposing fresh vulnerabilities; from low hydro levels in the Nordics and gas storage concerns in western Europe, to growing questions over market design, interconnectors and the pace of the energy transition. So how resilient is Europe’s power system this time around? And what happens when geopolitical shocks collide with an increasingly complex power market? Richard is  joined by Montel analysts Jean-Paul Harreman, Fintan Devenney and Priyanka Shinde to unpack the impact across Europe;  from battery revenues and price spikes to liquidity risks, policy shifts and the regions most exposed in the months ahead. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Jean-Paul Harreman – Director, Analytics, Montel Fintan Devenney – Market Expert, Consultancy, Montel Priyanka Shinde – Market Expert, Nordic, Montel Julia Demirdag – Germany Correspondent, Montel News

    44 min
  5. A New Gas Shock?

    19 MAR

    A New Gas Shock?

    *** This episode was recorded on Wednesday before attacks on Qatari and Iranian energy infrastructure. But the message from the guests is still highly relevant - the wholesale gas market has not fully priced in the geopolitical risk premium.  In this second episode of our special series on the war in Iran and its implications for energy markets, we focus on a potential looming gas crisis. As Europe enters the crucial storage refill season with lower-than-usual inventories and a far more complex global backdrop. Competition for LNG is intensifying, particularly between Europe and Asia, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are raising the risk of supply disruption and renewed price volatility. So how exposed is Europe this time around? And could this crisis prove even more severe than 2022? Riichard speaks to Saul Kavonic, Head of Energy Research at MST Marquee, who warns that the current disruption could trigger a deeper global gas shock. In addition, Ole Hvalbye, Commodities Analyst at SEB Research, joins from the trading floor to break down price scenarios, storage risks, and what comes next for LNG supply. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Saul Kavonic -  Head of Energy Research, MST Marquee Ole  Hvalbye - Commodities analyst at SEB Research Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Editor: Oscar Birk  Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyCrisis #GasMarkets #LNG #NaturalGas #EuropeanGas #EnergyMarkets #Commodities #TTF #EnergySecurity #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #OilAndGas #EnergyTransition #MarketVolatility #GlobalEnergy #Podcast #EnergyPodcast #Montel #PluggedIn

    44 min
  6. A fresh energy crisis?

    12 MAR

    A fresh energy crisis?

    As wholesale markets remain nervous and volatile, there are renewed calls for policymakers to intervene to shield large energy users from spiking prices. But are markets failing? And could ill-conceived, knee-jerk interventions disrupt the EU’s internal energy market? Rising geopolitical tensions and disruption to key global shipping routes have pushed gas, power and oil prices sharply higher in recent weeks. While Europe’s energy system is better prepared than it was during the 2022 crisis, volatility in wholesale markets has revived concerns about the impact of rising energy costs on industry. In this episode, Richard speaks with Montel’s EU correspondent about the options being considered in Brussels ahead of a key meeting of EU leaders, before discussing with experts from the power sector and energy-intensive industry whether Europe could be facing another energy shock, why electricity prices remain structurally high for manufacturers, and whether calls for market intervention risk undermining the EU’s internal energy market. Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Cillian O’Donoghue – Policy Director, Eurelectric Adina Georgescu – Energy and Climate Director, European Metals Fatima Sadouki – EU Correspondent, Montel News Editor: Alexandra Carlon Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyMarkets #EuropeanEnergy #EnergyPolicy #EnergyCrisis #ElectricityMarkets #EnergyTransition #EnergyTrading #EnergySecurity #EnergyEconomics #CleanEnergy #EnergyPodcast

    34 min
  7. Italy's carbon reform and the ETS decree

    5 MAR

    Italy's carbon reform and the ETS decree

    Italy has launched one of the most controversial proposals in the European energy market in years. In a bid to lower electricity prices and boost the competitiveness of Italian industry, the government has proposed shifting the cost of carbon emissions from gas-fired power plants to consumers. Supporters say the move could reduce wholesale power prices and ease pressure on businesses facing high energy costs. But critics warn it could undermine the foundations of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS); the cornerstone of Europe’s climate policy. In this episode, Richard speaks with international experts about why carbon prices have been falling, what Italy’s proposed reforms could mean for the power market, and the potential impact on renewable investment and corporate PPAs. They also discuss whether the proposal could distort electricity markets across Europe and the legal challenges the European Commission may raise. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests: Hæge Fjellheim - Head of Carbon Analysis at Veyt                Gaia Stigliani - Senior Principal at AFRY Management Consulting                Lorenzo Parola - Managing Partner at Parola Associati                Enza Tedesco - Montel News Editor: Oscar Birk Producer: Alexandra Carlon #EnergyMarkets #EUETS #EnergyTransition #CarbonMarkets #ClimatePolicy #EnergyPolicy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTrading #EnergyEconomics #EuropeanEnergy #CleanEnergy #Decarbonisation #EnergyPodcast

    40 min
  8. Hormuz on the Brink, Energy Markets in Shock [Special episode]

    3 MAR

    Hormuz on the Brink, Energy Markets in Shock [Special episode]

    Middle East escalation has put the Strait of Hormuz; the world’s key energy chokepoint, under threat. We assess the impact on Brent crude, European gas (TTF), and global LNG, with a focus on Qatar’s supply and Europe’s exposure.   Joined by Hussein Ibish, Senior Resident Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, Dan Marks, Research Fellow for Energy Security at RUSI, and Henning Gloystein, Eurasia Group, they discuss whether Iran would truly close Hormuz, the risks to shipping and infrastructure, and what comes next for global energy markets. Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News Guests:  Hussein Ibish - Senior Resident Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute Dan Marks - Research Fellow for Energy Security at RUSI Henning Gloystein - Eurasia Group Laurence Walker - Montel News Editor: Alex Carlon, Oscar Birk Producer: Alex Carlon Subscribe to the podcast on our website, via Apple Podcasts or Spotify #StraitOfHormuz #HormuzCrisis #OilPrices #LNG #QatarLNG #EnergyMarkets #EnergyCrisis #GasPrices #BrentCrude #TTF #EnergySecurity #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #ShippingDisruption #GlobalMarkets #RUSI

    41 min
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About

Coming from the heart of the Montel newsroom, Editor-in-Chief, Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson and his team of journalists explore the news headlines in the energy sector, bringing you in depth analysis of the industry’s leading stories each week.   Richard speaks to experts, analysts, regulators, and senior business leaders to the examine not just the what, but the why behind the decisions directing the markets and shaping the global transition to a green economy.   New episodes are available every Thursday.

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