Energy Evolution

Offshore wind once looked like a natural play for oil majors: big offshore projects, complex engineering, and familiar operating conditions. But as costs and interest rates have risen, the sector's economics have started to clash with the companies' return expectations. This has revealed a business model where capital is invested upfront, payback is slow, and the competitive advantage often lies in power market and contracting expertise, rather than just offshore execution. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte is joined by Alex Blackburne, senior reporter at S&P Global Energy, to unpack the shifting strategies of European oil majors in offshore wind. We also hear from Julio Dal Poz, managing director in the energy transition practice at FTI Consulting, who explains why offshore wind has proven to be a challenging fit for companies accustomed to quicker returns and greater upside potential.

As AI-driven electricity demand surges and companies race to decarbonize, environmental commodity markets are growing swiftly. Host Eklavya Gupte interviews John Melby, CEO of Xpansiv, who provides insight into what it takes to create the digital trading infrastructure for markets ranging from carbon credits to renewable energy certificates and power purchase agreements. We also hear from Marie-louise du Bois, director for energy transition price reporting at Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, who discusses the challenges of pricing these evolving markets — from the simultaneous fragmentation and convergence of carbon markets to the rise of biomethane and even nuclear certificates. The discussion also covers how large corporates are managing their carbon footprints as they build AI infrastructure and why carbon-differentiated commodities could reshape global trade.

Greenland has suddenly emerged as a focal point in the global competition for critical minerals and energy. This episode explores the Arctic island's strategic importance through conversations examining how resource competition and geopolitics are converging in one of Earth's most remote locations. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Kip Keen, senior reporter at S&P Global Energy, on Greenland's mineral potential and the sobering realities facing companies that have invested there. Euan Sadden, senior editor at S&P Global Energy, interviews Jørgen T. Hammeken-Holm, deputy minister at Greenland's ministry of business, mineral resources and energy, about the regulatory environment and investor response to growing interest in the island's mineral wealth. Euan also speaks with Nicolas Jouan, a defense and security analyst at RAND, who explains why Greenland has become such a strategic focal point in a new era of resource security.

In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte examines how the copper market is facing an unprecedented supply crunch driven by the accelerating pace of electrification. Patricia Barreto, senior principal analyst from the metals & mining research team at S&P Global Energy CERA, breaks down the numbers behind copper's critical role in the energy transition and sheds light on why copper prices soared to record highs in January. Eric Saderholm, managing director of exploration at American Pacific Mining Corp., explains the on-ground realities of bringing new copper supply online and discusses how recent policy changes are affecting the industry. The conversation also covers China's dominance in smelting capacity, US critical mineral policies, and why the industry's ability to scale production will determine whether the global energy transition succeeds or stalls.

The nature-based carbon removals industry is undergoing a scientific and technological transformation to restore credibility in the voluntary carbon market. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Santiago Canel Soria, senior price reporter at S&P Global Energy Platts, about how project developers are deploying advanced monitoring systems and rigorous methodologies to address past market challenges as corporate buyers demand higher integrity offsets. Santiago speaks with Saif Bhatti, CEO of Renoster, and Christopher Kilner, head of biosphere science at Isometric, who explain how scientific advances and risk-management strategies are establishing nature-based removals as a credible, scalable, and cost-effective pillar of the VCM. The discussion covers the role of insurance in carbon markets, the challenge of operationalizing rigorous science at scale, and why nature-based solutions remain essential for corporates with net-zero targets. Related content: Platts Carbon Credit Price Assessments Carbon Markets Specifications Guide Voluntary carbon markets: how they work, how they're priced and who's involved Price Assessments (Subscriber content): Platts CRC ACRCA00 Platts Biochar, US ATCCA00 Platts Biochar, India INBCY00 Platts Blue Carbon AJLUB00

One year into his return to the White House, President Donald Trump is exerting a major impact on the US energy landscape. With policy direction shifting rapidly, the administration's moves on fossil fuels, regulation and geopolitics are already rippling through markets, supply chains and long-term energy transition plans. In this episode, Dan Testa is joined by Jasmin Melvin, senior editor at S&P Global Energy and head of The Energy Daily, to address whether the US is headed for a renewed fossil-fuel boom, what that means for clean energy, and whether there is still room for a durable, balanced energy strategy in the years ahead. Jasmin spoke with Maya Weber, senior editor at S&P Global Energy, to break down the most consequential policy shifts so far. The conversation then turns to industry and market impacts, with Dustin Meyer, senior vice president at the American Petroleum Institute, and JC Sandberg, chief policy officer at the American Clean Power Association.

President Donald Trump's federal budget bill, signed in July 2025, accelerated the end of the Section 25D residential clean energy tax credits in the US, which had been previously set to extend into the mid-2030s. With the sunsetting of the Section 25D tax credit at the end of 2025, the US residential solar sector must once again adapt to dramatic shifts to the tax credit landscape, a phenomenon known as the "solar-coaster." For this episode, Dan Testa spoke with Platts renewable energy reporter Kirsten Errick, who covers US solar, about what this could mean for US residential solar. Kirsten interviewed Cinthya Peña, a renewables market analyst at S&P Global Energy Horizons, and Maheep Mandloi, director of clean energy equity research at Mizuho Americas, who shed light on how this tax credit cliff could alter the market.

US power prices are climbing, pushing utilities to the forefront of a national debate over the cost of living. Demand for electricity is growing, and is set to accelerate as tech companies race to build massive data centers to support AI and other technologies. These trends have power providers, regulators and grid operators scrambling to accommodate and prepare. So what can we see expect to see in the US power and utility sector in 2026? In this episode, Dan Testa speaks with Travis Miller, a senior financial analyst at Morningstar Securities Research, and Sam Huntington, research director on the North American power team for S&P Global Energy CERA, to get their perspectives. The discussion digs into the factors driving power prices, utility capital expenditure plans topping $1 trillion, the outlook for renewable power and gas plants in key markets, and how AI is drawing a different kind of investor to utility stocks.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte explores the seismic shift transforming America's electricity landscape as artificial intelligence drives unprecedented power demand after years of flat growth. The discussion features Benjamin Levitt, associate director of research and analysis for gas power and energy futures, and Christopher Wilfong, director of North America power and renewables consulting, both at S&P Global Energy CERA. They talk about the infrastructure challenges facing the power sector while addressing concerns about grid reliability, impact on electricity prices and the potential for an AI bubble reminiscent of the dot-com era. Eklavya also speaks with Tom Falcone, CEO of the Large Public Power Council, who reveals how utilities handle gigawatt-scale requests from tech giants and explains the critical challenge of ensuring rapid load growth doesn't compromise affordability for existing customers. The conversations examine how utilities, caught off guard by the AI boom, are grappling with the stark reality of needing to double grid capacity in some regions within a decade, while navigating supply chain bottlenecks, permitting delays, and the critical question of who pays for this massive infrastructure expansion.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte explores how energy traders are turning to sophisticated weather analytics for a competitive edge. From weather derivatives to advanced AI-enhanced weather models, these tools are becoming more sophisticated by the day. The discussion features insights from two of Munich Re's weather derivatives specialists, Theresa Kammel and Pierre Buisson, who shed light on how the energy industry is increasingly using this market to hedge against weather-related financial risks, especially in the renewables space. Eklavya also speaks with Sean Kelly, CEO of energy forecasting company Amperon, about how AI is transforming weather analytics and reshaping how traders anticipate electricity demand, renewable generation and power prices.

The European hydrogen industry has experienced a turbulent 2025, with project delays and cancellations dominating the headlines. But the data tells a more nuanced story, with large volumes of projects starting construction. In this episode, senior energy transition reporter James Burgess speaks to Christian Stuckmann, Uniper's head of hydrogen business development, and Shell president for hydrogen Andy Beard to discuss the complexities of the nascent energy transition sector. They examine the challenges facing the industry and explain how they have been able to progress projects despite headwinds from policy delays and demand uncertainty, with the refining industry emerging as a leader in the green hydrogen space.

Nuclear power is back in vogue, with shuttered reactors being restarted, existing plants having their operating lives extended and a growing market of new companies racing to build advanced reactor designs. But questions persist about whether the nuclear industry can execute to deliver these generation projects on schedule and on budget in an era of rapidly rising power demand. In this episode, Dan Testa discusses these trends with Platts reporter Abbie Bennett and Bill Freebairn, Platts associate director of price reporting for nuclear fuels. Also joining the episode are Adam Stein, a nuclear analyst at the Breakthrough Institute, as well as Drew Marsh, CEO of Entergy Corp. and the new chair of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

The gas turbine industry has staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent years, fueled by artificial intelligence's insatiable appetite for power. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Javier Cavada, president and CEO for EMEA at Mitsubishi Power, to examine how AI's demand for 24/7 power has created multi-year waiting times for new gas turbines. The conversation explores the far-reaching implications of this boom: tech giants are building dedicated gas-fired plants for data centers, developing nations face turbine shortages, and manufacturers struggle to meet unprecedented demand. Cavada reveals that his company is already discussing projects for 2031-2032, highlighting the unprecedented scale of current demand.

India's energy transition story can be vividly seen through the lens of one of its most established utilities, Tata Power, which has shifted from a long-standing reliance on coal to become an integrated renewable energy company aiming for a 70% clean power capacity mix by 2030. In this episode, S&P Global Commodity Insights editor Ruchira Singh interviews Tata Power CEO and managing director Praveer Sinha on India's ambitious plan to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by the end of the decade. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sinha discusses critical infrastructure challenges — from land acquisition hurdles to transmission bottlenecks — and explains how Tata Power plans to deliver 24/7 renewable energy through integrated solar, wind, pumped hydro and battery storage solutions.

The energy policy of Europe's largest economy, Germany, is the focus of this week's episode. The coalition government's energy ministry recently published a monitoring report highlighting the need for a reality check on electricity demand forecasts and the implications for renewable energy expansion. Andreas Franke, editorial lead at S&P Global Commodity Insights, and Henning Gloystein, managing director of energy, climate & resources at Eurasia Group, examine how revised projections could alter Berlin's solar and wind expansion targets, and reshape the country's path to 80% renewable power by 2030. The conversation delves into the challenges facing German industry amid high energy costs and questions whether the country's 2045 climate targets remain realistic, given its planned reliance on gas-fired power generation. Franke and Gloystein also discuss how this recalibrated approach signals broader challenges facing the global energy transition, and they debate whether similar "reality checks" may be needed across other European nations.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte explores the growing divergence between European and US climate policies nearly a year into Donald Trump's second presidential term. As the US pivots toward fossil fuel expansion and rolls back clean energy initiatives, Europe is recalibrating its energy transition pace amid mounting concerns about economic competitiveness and affordability. The discussion features Laurent Ruseckas, executive director of gas, geopolitics and finance, and Coralie Laurencin, director of European gas, power and carbon policy, both at S&P Global Commodity Insights. They examine Europe's pushback on climate regulations, implementation challenges facing the EU's methane rules and the carbon border adjustment mechanism, and how surging US LNG supplies could strengthen transatlantic energy ties.

In this episode of Energy Evolution, host Eklavya Gupte examines the rising concerns among EU member states about the upcoming Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2), set to launch in 2027. Worries are growing that ETS2 -- encompassing road transport, buildings, and small businesses -- could lead to substantial increases in energy prices, highlighting the complex interplay between ambitious climate objectives and economic realities. Eklavya also interviews Jason Ying, Commodity Desk Strategist at BNP Paribas, who provides insights into how this new carbon market may influence inflation rates and residential gas prices across the EU. Links: EU Emission Allowance Nearest-December EADMP00 Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Month Ahead GTFTM01

While 2025's energy headlines have focused on trade wars and geopolitical turmoil, the market for International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) has seen a dramatic surge in demand, signaling a fundamental shift in corporate sustainability strategies. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Victoria Morini, global I-RECs lead at S&P Global, and Fatemeh Zahedi, senior price reporter, to discuss some of the big trends behind the recent expansion of this voluntary market. The conversation also explores seasonal price dynamics, the growing appetite in emerging economies, and how supply chain issues and 24/7 carbon-free energy matching could define the future of clean energy procurement. Links: I-REC Turkey Wind Current Year ATKYE00 I-REC Brazil Hydro Current Year ACERH00

Winter is coming, and Europe's gas market is bracing for impact. In this episode, host Eklavya Gupte sits down with Matt Hoisch, senior gas and LNG news reporter, and Roudy Dirani, managing editor for European natural gas pricing, to explore what could be a volatile few months as Europe faces its first winter without pipeline Russian gas supplies. With EU storage levels slightly below recent historical averages, the discussion examines key factors driving supply-demand fundamentals, including geopolitical tensions, new LNG capacity additions, and evolving trade relationships. Links: Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Month Ahead GTFTM01 Dutch TTF Eur/MWh Day Ahead GTFTX00 LNG Japan/Korea DES Spot Cargo AAOVQ00 INFOGRAPHIC: LNG and gas markets navigate a world in transition

In this week's episode of Energy Evolution, hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte discuss a new series of articles from the S&P Global Commodity Insights newsroom examining how some of the world's largest companies are faring on their path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The hosts interview Commodity Insights senior news reporters Karin Rives and Alex Blackburne about how US and European utilities are adapting their net-zero strategies amid evolving political and economic realities. Rives sheds light on how some US utilities are increasingly backtracking on their green pledges and adjusting their messaging to align with the Trump administration's "American energy dominance" agenda. Meanwhile, Blackburne discusses how European utilities are maintaining their emissions targets even as they scale back investment plans due to macroeconomic headwinds.