Montel Weekly Montel News

The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is intended to address the issue of carbon leakage - preventing companies moving to jurisdictions with less stringent emissions rules - and to keep industrial sectors in the EU competitive by charging a carbon levy at its borders. But the inclusion of electricity could trigger several unintended consequences. Listen to a discussion on how the law could significantly affect electricity flows between non-EU and EU countries and impact investment in renewable energy. Could the border tax actually hinder moves to decarbonise Europe?
Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Guests: Phil Hewitt, Director Montel Analytics; Jean-Paul Harreman, Director Montel Analytics.

After record low nuclear output in 2022, France has again become a powerhouse of atomic generation. So much so, that it is again Europe’s largest electricity exporter. Wholesale market prices in the country have tumbled amid ample supply, weak demand and high renewables, primarily solar, generation. Listen to a discussion on the outlook ahead of the summer, and the potential for surprises amid probes into possible corrosion at some reactors.

Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Guests: Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News; Tasmin Chowdhary, Market Analyst, Volue. 

Europe may have weathered the worst of the storms of the covid pandemic and the energy crisis, but the continent’s gas market remains fragile. In this episode, we talk to the CEO of gas transit operator Snam and one of Italy’s most respected energy experts about the role gas will play for the country as it looks to wean itself off Russian gas. Italy looks set to become more dependent on the vagaries of global markets as it commits to an LNG future. And what is the outlook for gas demand among Italy’s industry?  
 Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
 Guests: Stefano Venier, CEO of Snam, Massimo Nicolazzi, University of Turin.

The pan-EU balancing mechanism Picasso has caused price turbulence after its introduction in some markets, notably Italy. The country has since exited the platform and other countries have delayed implementation to the mandatory system. Listen to a discussion on the problems experienced by Italy and proposals put forward to change the platform and to increase data transparency.
Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
 Guests: Simon Remppis, Engineer at TransnetBW; Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel News. 

EU regulatory body Acer has proposed several changes to the framework of forward markets and cross-border trading, aimed at boosting power market liquidity. Listen to a discussion on virtual hubs, financial transmission rights or “spread futures” and why the Nordic model may not be the best example to follow. And, would dividing the German power zone attract more investment into green energy and increase liquidity?
Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Guest: Lion Hirth, Professor at Hertie School and Director at Neon Energy. 

Norway installed the least amount of renewables in the Nordic region last year. Ahead of the country’s first ever offshore wind auction, we talk to former energy minister Åslaug Haga about the outlook for new green energy in terms of meeting growing demand. Listen to a discussion on the ways in which country should speed up capacity build and why it is important to avoid the “ketchup effect”.
Host: Snjólfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Guest: Åslaug Haga, Director, Renewables Norway.