Montel Weekly

Germany’s plans to cap electricity prices for industry at EUR 60/MWh until 2030 is creating controversy and is even unwelcome by some large industrial firms. Why is there such opposition to a stable and secure power price for almost seven years? Listen to a discussion on the outlook for companies operating in Europe’s industrial heartland. Will gas demand in the EU’s biggest economy return to pre-crisis levels? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Tobias Federico, Managing Director, Energy Brainpool Stefanie Müller, Stefanie Mueller, Director Power Trading & Portfoliomanagement, BASF

In a follow-up to the episode on 5 May, we hear why Denmark's energy consumers are up in arms over the profits made by the country’s trading houses. Details over bonuses – promised, then withdrawn – have only added to the uproar. Listen to a discussion on profits, bonuses and allegations of market abuse from the perspective of energy consumers. Is there, or should there be, a more equitable way of sharing the vast proceeds of these Danish firms? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Mogens Pilgaard Sørensen, MPS Solutions

The looming end of temporary interventions in Europe’s wholesale market has triggered a wave of activity in power purchase agreements (PPAs), as companies rush to secure green energy. What has been the impact of the European Commission’s market design proposal on PPAs and the expansion of renewables? Listen to a discussion of why storage will increasingly be a key part of long-term energy deals and why analysis regarding the costs of solar power is outdated almost as soon as it is published. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Luca Pedretti, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Pexapark

In this special live podcast, hosted by Nord Pool at their special event in Bergen, Norway, we discuss how to accelerate the energy transition through the electrification of transport and the use of batteries. What sectors can be electrified and which ones will be more challenging? How likely is it that large ships or planes could run fully on electricity in the years to come? And what should you do if you run out of power far out at sea? Listen to a discussion on range anxiety and the requirements for charging infrastructure. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Marit Meland, Business Development Manager, Eviny - Mobil Energy Maria Bos, CEO, Plug Therese Gjerde, Vice President Global Sustainability, World Kinect Energy Services

Several Danish trading companies have posted record high profits in recent weeks. What's the secret to their success? Listen to a discussion on the reasons behind the massive rise in earnings and how they have been received in Denmark amid a cost of living crisis. In addition, a row over huge bonuses and allegations of market manipulation are likely to increase the chances of a regulatory backlash. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Anders Plejdrup Houmøller, CEO, Houmoller Consulting ApS Martin Dam Wied, Head of Department, Green Power Denmark

Europe has ambitious plans to become net zero by 2050. This will not only require a massive roll out of wind and solar energy, but also flexible capacity for those dark, cold, and windless winter days. Listen to a discussion on the need to speed up permitting, cannibalisation and why large nuclear and coal fired plants are not a good match for renewable energy. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Anja Frada, Chief Operating Officer, Wärtsilä Energy

European gas prices have fallen – and should continue to drop in the weeks ahead – amid ample supply, milder weather and increased electricity generation from renewables. However, problems at French nuclear plants in combination with rising demand in Asia pose risks for winter prices. Listen to a discussion on the reasons why prices could fall in the short-term, but remain elevated in the medium-term. What is the nuclear conundrum, and is Gazprom preparing a final roll of the dice? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Wayne Bryan, Director European Gas Research, LSEG

Amid surging gas prices, many countries in Europe and beyond turned to the dirty fuel in an attempt to keep a lid on prices. But the increased demand for the dirty fuel triggered a massive rise in global coal prices, which in turn was boon to illegal transport of the commodity in South Africa. Recently, train operator Transnet issued a warning about the rise in so-called "ghost trains", or unchartered, off-timetable shipment of coal to the port of Richard's Bay. Listen to a discussion of the phenomenon and potentially how much of the fuel has found its way to Europe. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Laurence Walker, Gas and Coal Editor, Montel

There have been mounting concerns over the stability of the global banking system after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and the rescue of Credit Suisse. Listen to a discussion on the causes of the turmoil and what may happen next. Are we in danger of a broader banking crisis, and what could the consequences be for the energy sector and the rollout of renewables? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Thina Margrethe Saltvedt, Chief Analyst, Sustainable Finance, Nordea and Lucy Eve, Senior Strategist, Eurasia Group

Many market participants expressed relief that the European Commission did not meddle with the marginal price-setting mechanism in its proposals for energy market reform. But plans to protect customers from volatile and soaring prices through encouraging long-term contracts and a capacity mechanism will impact the internal energy market. Listen to a discussion on plans for virtual trading hubs and why this complex but innovative idea will be challenging to implement. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Michela Beltracchi, Senior Advisor Public & Regulatory Affairs, Nord Pool; Georg Zachmann, Senior Fellow, Bruegel

The European Commission has loosened state-aid rules in a bid to compete with the US Inflation Reduction Act in providing subsidies for green technology. The move comes in the wake of several high-profile European battery manufactures having indicated they are considering building factories in the US. Listen to a discussion on the main hurdles facing the battery and storage sector and how fresh regulation may spur manufacturers to stay in Europe. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Giorgio Corbetta, EU Affairs Director, Eurobat

Ahead of the publication of the European Commission's proposals for energy market design, there are concerns that some recent interventions will be permanent. Listen to why the wholesale markets need to retain the marginal pricing model, avoid a patchwork of national regulation and provide incentives to boost the energy transition. What are the lessons learnt from the energy crisis and the resulting flurry of policy measures aimed at protecting consumers? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Jérôme Le Page, Director, European Electricity Markets, Efet

The European Commission recently laid out rules that will define green hydrogen as part of its renewable energy directive. They will provide clarity on what makes hydrogen renewable, define additionality and potentially boost investments into the fuel. Listen to a discussion on what this will mean for the sector and whether labelling nuclear as renewable is possible or even desirable. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Catherine Banet, Professor of Law, Head of Department of Energy and Resources Law, University of Oslo

It’s been a year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This week's pod chats to residents of Kyiv – a gas analyst and a top manager at Ukraine's utility DTEK – about the current situation in the city, while living under the constant threat of attack. Listen to a discussion about how Russia targets the energy system and how Ukraine repairs bombed infrastructure. We also talk about cross-border power flows and the outlook for the country’s gas and electricity sector amid the ongoing war. The pod finishes quite dramatically, so make you keep listening right to the end. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guests: Yuriy Onyshkiv, Senior Gas Analyst, LSEG Dmytro Sakharuk, Executive Director of DTEK

This week’s pod discusses the outlook for Europe’s gas market for the coming months, as prices have fallen to around EUR 50/MWh – still historically high, but far below those of last autumn. Do low prices spell the end of the energy crisis, or should we expect further supply disruptions. Listen to a discussion on current market dynamics, what it would take to trigger a price surge and why the price cap is pointless. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Wayne Bryan, Director European Gas Research, LSEG

The European Commission has launched a consultation on the future market design of wholesale energy markets. Under pressure to shield consumers, industry and households from high prices it seeks to undertake comprehensive reforms. Listen to a discussion of what the the consequences will be for markets, particularly regarding the fine balance between affordability and supply security. Could the proposals to boost renewables through CFDs and PPAs mean a larger role for national governments and the end of forward markets as we know them? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Stephen Woodhouse, Director, Afry Management Consulting

European carbon prices have climbed since mid-January, with the benchmark contract threatening to breach EUR 100/t before falling on Thursday. Has the upturn been driven by a return of speculators or are companies buying to balance their books ahead of the deadline on 30 April? Listen to a discussion on current market dynamics and whether prices could hit EUR 100/t? In addition, we debate the complex web of policies that will impact the market in the months and years to come. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Ingvild Sørhus, Lead EU Carbon Analyst, Greenfact

The US’s Inflation Reduction Act – a USD 400bn package of subsidies and tax credits to help spur renewable energy and projects to slash emissions – has rattled European governments and politicians. Some European companies have already announced they are looking to build green energy projects in the US, while EU officials are looking for ways to keep them closer to home. Listen to a discussion on the likelihood of a tit for tat trade war and consequences for net-zero emissions targets. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Niclas Frederic Poitiers, Research Fellow, Bruegel

The flurry of European countries introducing revenue caps on electricity production from renewable sources is largely intended to shield industry and households from soaring prices. But some in the industry fear these interventions may deter much-needed investments in green energy. Listen to a discussion on whether these fears are justified and on other concerns about long-term changes to the current wholesale market design. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Kristian Ruby, Secretary-general of Eurelectric.

Europe’s green energy transition risks stalling amid a patchwork of regulation across the 27-nation bloc intended to tax surplus revenues of renewable energy generators. This could also impact the important PPA market, where corporates dominated the sector in 2022. Listen to a discussion about the trends expected for 2023 and how interventions could affect the market and the burgeoning green PPA sector. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel Guest: Dominique Hischier, Head of Analysis, Pexapark