Montel Weekly

The Nordic region has huge potential for the further expansion of renewable energy as more and more companies seek to procure new or “additional” green energy. Listen to a discussion on the current trends in PPAs and the risks of “cannibalisation”. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower

Germany faces an electricity capacity gap of up to 4 GW in 2023 and 2024 due to the country’s exit from both coal-fired and nuclear power generation. Listen to a discussion on how supply could be critically endangered and what direction energy policy could take should the Green party join the government following elections later this year. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower

Last year’s carnage in global oil demand would have been a lot worse for oil prices without the deep production cut agreement by Opec and non-member partners. But how will current geopolitical tensions play out? Will Iran keep selling to China? Is Saudi Arabia likely to maintain production cuts, or will Russia continue to boost output? Listen to a discussion on how the complex web of intrigue and realpolitik is driving the world’s most liquid commodity market. Host: Guest: Produced by...

Meteorologists say summer temperatures in southern Europe could hit 50C, surpassing levels seen in recent years. This week’s episode looks at what this could mean for the continent’s power and gas systems in the face of more freak weather incidents such as cold snaps and heatwaves. And tune in to hear the latest forecasts for the weeks and months to come. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower.

Last year remained a busy year for power purchase agreements (PPAs) despite the Covid pandemic, and activity looks set to accelerate as the market sees a post-virus bounce. Listen to a discussion on companies who are keen to brand themselves as green – the green image seekers – and those for whom cost is paramount – the green giants. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower.

The success of Europe’s climate neutral goal for 2050 will depend a lot on hydrogen, particularly its green form when backed by renewables. Large utilities, industrial firms and oil and gas majors are now gearing up to make big investments in green hydrogen. This week’s episode looks at some of those ambitious plans in the Nordic region. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower.

Last week’s deep freeze across the southern US caused power outages for millions in Texas, the country’s second most populous state. Was it an isolated problem or could a similar event occur in Europe? Listen to a panel of experts as they delve into how Europe needs to integrate renewables and the steps needed to level the playing field for new entrants. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower.

Are speculators behind the rise in carbon prices to new heights above EUR 40/t? This week’s podcast delves into the rally, addresses the fundamental factors supporting EUAs and whether placing limits on non-compliance participants is desirable or possible. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

Developing solar power in parts of Europe not known for being sunny is like being a student at a rough school – you come out a tough kid. At least that’s how the CEOs of Nordic firms Otovo and Alright Energy see it in this week’s episode. Hear the outlook for rooftop and large-scale solar across Europe. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

In a week of dramatic price moves in the carbon market, some participants have questioned the reasons for the rise to fresh highs. Is it the role of new entrants, could EUAs be the new Game Stop? Listen to a discussion on the various factors at play in the ever volatile EU ETS and the outlook for prices for the weeks and months ahead. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

Europe’s quest to become carbon neutral by 2050 will mean increased grid congestion with an expansion of intermittent renewable energy. This week’s show discusses how electricity networks could cope with such bottlenecks, and why a fear of gaming and market power is holding back regulators from choosing market-based options. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

Some meteorologists may be playing down the risk of a return of 2018's "Beast from the East", but this winter is far from over and with it the potential for further gas and power price spikes. This week's show discusses the reasons for the recent price surges in Asian LNG, the outlook for the coming months and whether the market became too blase about cheap gas. Host: Guest: • Wayne Bryan, Director, European Gas Research, Refinitiv Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker,...

France is set to overhaul the mechanism intended to boost competition in the country’s electricity market, but the measure’s complexity as well as disputes over the potential break-up of energy major EDF could see the government postponing reform. This week’s episode discusses the French solution for competition, and why there may not be a resolution until 2022 or beyond. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

German power prices have gained in recent weeks amid colder weather and a strong carbon market, with the bullish trend set to continue over the coming weeks, at least according to this week’s guest. Listen to a discussion on Germany’s coal exit tenders which have led, to the surprise of many, to the closure of modern, efficient plants but left older units in operation. In addition, we look at the outlook for carbon prices as well as the prospects for PPAs in Europe’s largest power...

In the last episode of 2020, a year of pandemic and economic turmoil, the Montel Weekly podcast takes listeners on a virtual tour around Europe with discussions about what lies ahead for the continent’s energy markets. We review this year’s key policy milestones, the drive to decarbonise Europe, the latest demand forecasts, and conclude with a plea for peace and love. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Ben Bower, Taizo Audio.

Power supply in northwest Europe over the coming winter faces uncertainty amid limited nuclear availability, aging conventional plant capacity and colder weather, but the lights will stay on, Vincent Verbeke of Engie assures us. In this episode we discuss the ever expanding European PPA market and Engie’s strategy going forward, as well as touching on the role of blockchain in the energy transition. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

Access to European energy markets is being used as a negotiating tool in Brexit discussions over access to UK fisheries as well as state aid provisions. In this episode, we discuss the implications of a no-deal Brexit for the power and gas sectors, and how it seems increasingly likely that the UK will adopt a carbon tax instead of a trading scheme. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker and Taizo Audio.

Continued oversupply, mild weather and a massive growth in wind power capacity, will keep Nordic power prices low for the coming year at least. Further out, increased demand thanks to the electrification of the heating and transport sectors could provide a shot in the arm for power producers. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

Reform of the mechanism to reduce market oversupply, tweaking the cap and not least the final 2030 target are all uncertain factors for the EU ETS which will continue to cause price volatility in the coming months. Listen to a discussion on current EUA price dynamics and where the market is heading in the short as well as medium term. Host: Guest: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.

China’s ban on Australian coal imports, strikes in Colombia as well as potential weather disruptions from the La Nina effect have had a major impact on global coal prices. This week’s pod discusses the outlook for coal in Europe and Asia amid the green energy transition, and the role played by Russia, a key exporter to both regions. Host: Guests: Produced by Anna Siwecka. Music by Laurence Walker, Taizo Audio.