The US-EU USD 750bn energy deal announced at the end of July left many observers scratching their heads, not least because of the eye watering sums involved. However, European heavy industry, steel and aluminium in particular, were left facing a 50% US import tariff. 

The uncertainty for Europe's steel and aluminium companies has prompted issues of "scrap leakage" and imports of material from countries outside Europe, with producers struggling to remain competitive against Chinese overcapacity. 

Why were Europe's heavy industries left out of negotiations for lower tariffs, and is this the final nail in the coffin for these industrial sectors?

In this episode, Richard speaks to the European Steel Association and European Aluminium about what their industries needs from the European Commission to ensure their survival. 

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Fatima Sadouki - Brussels Reporter, Montel News

Guests:
Paul Voss - Director General, European Aluminium
Axel Eggert - Director General, EUROFER

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

In March 2025, the balancing price in all of the Swedish price zones crashed to the technical floor of EUR -10,000/MWh - setting off a trend of volatile prices and turbulent balancing markets in the Nordics.

Six months on, small producers and certain market actors in the region are struggling to navigate a complex system and differing responses from TSOs across the region, with many market participants calling out for change.

In this episode, Richard speaks to Nordic market experts about why the changes introduced this year are proving problematic and puts important questions to the Danish TSO.

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Elias Huuhtanen - Finland Reporter, Montel News

Guests: 
Kia Marie Jerichau - Vice President, Energinet 
Matthew Creese - Head of Market Operations for Wind and Solar, Aneo
Priyanka Shinde - Nordic Market Expert, Montel Analytics

Editor: Oscar Birk
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Volatile prices, falling liquidity and declining profitability are some of the many headwinds the Nordic power market faces in the months ahead.

In addition, could political meddling create more damage to the highly complex and problematic market? And why are public misunderstandings about the issue fuelling political debate?

In this episode, Richard speaks to our guests at the Montel Nordic Energy Day in Oslo. They discuss why a free and competitive market is still the best solution, and they explain the changes that need to be made to the market design in order for it to function better. 

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Olav Vilnes - Nordic Editor, Montel News

Guests: Kolbjørn Hembre, CEO at Entelios & Fredrik Bodecker, CEO at Bodecker Partners

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles
Videographer: Oscar Birk

According to a recent report from Montel Analytics, the UK and Ireland curtailed GBP 152m of renewable energy in the first half of 2025.

Is this counter productive to the UK’s green and clean energy goals? Who foots the bill? Is the lack of adequate infrastructure in Europe’s grid hindering the green energy transition?

In this episode, Richard speaks to the author of the report and Renewable UK about how much curtailment is costing the industry, how it’s affecting investments in wind power projects and why batteries are essential in storing excess green energy production

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Gabriel Power - UK Reporter, Montel News

Guests: Fintan Devenney - Senior Energy Analyst, Montel & Barnaby Wharton - Director of Future Electricity Systems, RenewableUK

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Temperatures reached 40C across Europe this week in the latest of several heatwaves which have engulfed the continent this summer.  

In response, power prices soared in many regions, with countries like France curbing nuclear power production because rivers – used for cooling purposes –  became too warm.

In this week’s episode, Richard discuss the impact of rising temperatures on power production, consumption and prices. How can Europe futureproof its power market from extreme weather conditions?

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Julia Demirdag - News correspondent, Montel News

Guests:
Robin Girmes -  Managing Director, Energy Weather
Pawel Czyzak - Europe Programme Director, Ember

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles 

It’s been 10 years since the Paris Climate Agreement entered intro force. Yet, tariffs, trade wars, and the reversal of the US’s climate policies are putting the global energy transition at risk. 

 Where does this leave the relationship between the EU, the US, and other global trading partners? And should Europe’s solar and wind developers shun Chinese products?

 In this week’s episode, Richard speaks to Lord Adair Turner - Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission about carbon pricing, the cost of the energy transition, and China’s influence in the future of green energy. 

 Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
 Contributor: Cem Bektas - Carbon correspondent, Montel News
 Guest: Lord Adair Turner - Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission
 Editors: Bled Maliqi, Oscar Birk
 Producer: Sarah Knowles

This is the fifth episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. 

In this final special episode, Richard speaks to Dr Annegret Groebel, President of the Council of European Energy Regulators and Director of International Relations at the German Regulatory Authority, BNetzA. 

They talk about the challenges with energy regulation in 2025, and what the next move is for Germany and its bidding zones. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News

Guest: Dr Annegret Groebel - President of the Council of European Energy Regulators & Director of International Relations at BNetzA

Editors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah Knowles

Producer: Sarah Knowles

This is the fourth episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. 

In this episode, Richard sits down with Jarand Rystad, CEO and Founder of energy research and intelligence company, Rystad Energy.

They talk about the changes in China’s oil demand, the production - or lack - of hydrogen, and the challenges with battery and solar power in Europe.

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News

Guest: Jarand Rystad - CEO and Founder, Rystad Energy

Editors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah Knowles

Producer: Sarah Knowles

This is the third episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. 

In this episode, Richard speaks to Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, CEO of Finnish TSO, Fingrid. 

They discuss the ongoing issues with balancing Finland’s power market, the oversupply of renewable energy in the Nordics, and the future of Finland’s nuclear energy programme. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News

Guest: Asta Sihvonen-Punkka - CEO, Fingrid

Editors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah Knowles

Producer: Sarah Knowles

This is the second episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. 

In this episode, Richard interviews Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO of Eon, about Europe’s power market. 

They discuss the boom in renewable energy, the issues surrounding security of supply, and the importance of investing in Europe’s grid infrastructure. 

Presenter: Richard Sverisson - Editor-in-Chief 

Guest: Leonhard Birnbaum - CEO of Eon

Editors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah Knowles

Producer: Sarah Knowles

This is the first episode of Plugged In’s five-part CEO summer series, where Richard interviews prominent leaders in Europe’s energy sector. 

In this episode, Richard speaks to Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK about the state of the UK’s energy sector one year on from the Labour government coming into power. 

They discuss the UK’s renewable energy targets, the UK government’s green energy policies, and the problem of rising energy prices. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief 

Guest: Dhara Vyas - CEO of Energy UK

Editors: Bled Maliqi, Sarah Knowles

Producer: Sarah Knowles

The US, China, and now Europe are seeing a surge in data centres as big tech firms and other businesses develop their AI models. But, will these data centres cause the dramatic rise in power consumption that many are predicting? 

In this episode, Richard goes deep into the subject with data centre experts from RISE and Greenscale to understand who the tenants of these data centres are, what challenges the tech and energy industries need to overcome together, and how data centres will continue to evolve with the exponential growth in AI. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson
Contributor: Alina Trabattoni - Italy Correspondent, Montel News

Guests:
Tor Björn Minde - Head of ICE Datacenter Unit at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden)
Liam Newcombe - Senior Vice President of Product, Energy Strategy and Innovation, Greenscale

Editors: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

This week, LNG prices rose to a 10-week high in Europe in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.  

With the shadow of a threat from Iran to close its vital waterway for global LNG shipments, in this episode, we discuss the likelihood of this happening, the political power dynamics at play and the implications for global energy markets.

Richard speaks to Eurasia Group’s Head of Energy and Kpler’s Principal LNG Analyst about the changes in shipping movements that we have seen around the strait in response to Israel and Iran’s attacks, and what this tells us about how the energy markets have so far reacted.

Host: Richard Sverrisson
Contributor: Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News

Guests:
Laura Page - Principal LNG Analyst, Kpler
Henning Gloystein - Practice Head of Energy, Climate & Resources, Eurasia Group

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Since spring 2025, power prices in the Nordics have been below zero, thanks to a myriad of factors, including low power demand and a glut of green power production. 

Whilst this has been good news for some consumers in the region - who have been paid to use their electricity - the prevalence of sub-zero prices has created jitters for investors and many in öthe markets are feeling the impact of the negative downturn. 

In this episode, Richard speaks to a panel of experts from Montel’s Energy Day in Helsinki about why the Nordics are experiencing the most dramatic level of negative prices vs the rest of Europe. We also look at PPAs, the impact of an increase in nuclear energy, and how renewables can coexist with other growing energy sources. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson

Guests:

Suvi Paaso - Managing Director, Power Deriva 
Riku Merikoski - Senior Power Analyst, Axpo Solutions AG
Vesa Ahoniemi - Chief Commercial Officer, Winda Energy
Priyanka Shinde - Market Expert Nordic, Montel Analytics

Editors: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

In May, Danish energy producer, Orsted, pulled out of the UK’s Hornsea 4 project, citing "economic reasons", and earlier this week, industry leaders in The Netherlands have expressed their serious concerns about the high costs and potential delays which threaten the delivery of key offshore wind projects.

In this episode, Richard speaks to the CEO of WindEurope about the state of Europe’s renewable energy sector. He also speaks to a panel of experts from the UK and The Netherlands - including a former Dutch MP - about how delays and rules set by governments are causing serious issues for the industry. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson
Contributor: Karolin Schaps - Dutch Reporter, Montel News

Guests: 
Giles Dickson - CEO, WindEurope
Fintan Devenney - Senior Energy Analyst, Montel
Jan Vos - Chairman, NedZero
Bas Sudmeijer - MD, Boston Consulting Group

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Spain and Portugal will be sending joint letters to the EU energy commissioner and French energy minister, urging them to apply pressure on the current plans for interconnections, following April’s blackout in the Iberian Peninsula.

 But are high costs, local resistance, and fears over the impact of cheap imports stiffening Paris’s opposition  to further power links with Spain.

This week we speak to key Spanish and French market experts to unpack some of the issues that the topic of further interconnection raises for the two countries. And for the rest of Europe.

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson

Contributors:

Muriel Boselli - France Correspondent, Montel News

Belen Belmonte - Spain Correspondent, Montel News 

Guests:                     

Ana Barillas - Managing Director, Iberia and LATAM at Aurora Energy Research

Emeric de Vigan - Managing Director, 42 Advisors
 
Editor: Oscar Birk

Producer: Sarah Knowles

As Europe eyes an end to Russian gas imports by 2027, fresh geopolitical tensions are reshaping energy markets once again. Could Trump’s mediation efforts result in a ceasefire in the Ukraine and could Russian gas re-enter Europe—directly or via shadow routes?

In this week’s episode, Richard speaks to two policy experts about what peace versus a ceasefire could really mean for gas prices, energy security, and the green transition. How do emerging interdependencies with the US, Qatar, and Africa shift Europe’s leverage—and what happens when offshore wind, solar, and LNG become pawns in great power rivalries?

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Andrés Cala – LNG Correspondent, Montel News

Guests: Francesco Sassi – Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Oslo
Tobias Federico – Chief Product Officer, Montel

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

In recent months, the European Commission has published what it describes as “simplified rules” of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), but is the policy still unclear and too complicated for energy and metals traders?

In this episode, Richard talks to experts about the CBAM, and why some commodity trading firms  are holding off - despite the official January 2026 start date. Could some be at risk of ceasing trading temporarily?

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Gabriel Power - UK Power Reporter, Montel News

Guests:
Dan Maleski - Senior Environmental Markets Advisor, Redshaw Advisors
Nick Ogilvie - Product Manager, Carbon Chain

Editors: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Since parts of Spain, Portugal, and France temporarily lost power on Monday 28th April, TSOs and policy makers across Europe have been quick to try and assess how much their own networks are at risk of a similar blackout.

Whilst we await conclusions from Entso-e’s investigations as to the cause of the outage, in this week’s episode Richard speaks to the Secretary General of Eurelectric and Rystad Energy about what this incident tells us about the reliability of Europe’s grid and our increasing dependency on electricity. What does the outage tell us about the need for flexibility and storage in an increasingly green power system?

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Pablo Bronte - Editor, Montel Iberia

Guests: 
Kristian Ruby - Secretary General, Eurelectric
Pratheeksha Ramdas - Senior New Energies Analyst, Rystad Energy

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

After a long delay, European TSOs finally released their bidding zone review this week. The report was met with much backlash from Germany’s government and industry leaders strongly opposed to the proposal to split its zone into five.

In this week’s podcast episode Richard speaks to commentators for and against dividing Germany’s price zone, and explores how the industry can expect TSOs in Germany and the Nordic region to respond in the next six months.

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Contributor: Siobhan Hall - Brussel’s Correspondent

Guests:
Casimir Lorenz - Managing Director for Central Europe, Aurora Energy Research
Tobias Federico - Chief Product Officer, Montel 
Morten Pindstrup - International Chief Engineer, Energinet

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Norway is the largest exporter of guarantees of origin certificates. Yet last month, the country's government published guidance for industry and union leaders that supported a localised approach, opening up the possibility for double counting of GOs.

After Iceland was accused of a similar move last year, we explore whether this latest move is pulling the reliability of the GO market into question amid continuously falling prices.

In this week's episode, Richard speaks to Daniel Arnesson from Veyt about where the confidence is in the GO market, and when prices will start to rise again.

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Contributor: Gert Ove Mollestad - Norway Editor, Montel
Guest: Daniel Arnesson - Manager of Renewable Power Certificates, Veyt

Editors: Oscar Birk
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Oil and gas prices plummeted in the immediate aftermath of the trade war between the US and China.

With many expecting oil and gas prices to continue to decline as a result of Trump's tariffs, the trade war raises raises fundamental questions about the profitability of oil production. Will oil producers feel inspired to "drill baby drill", as Trump famously promised, if prices continue to fall?

In this episode, Richard speaks to Saul Kavonic, Head of Energy Research at MST Marquee, about the impact on global trade flows, prices and why an expected boost in LNG in 2026 may not materialise.

Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Contributor: Laurence Walker - Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Guest: Saul Kavonic - Head of Energy Research, MST Marquee

Editor: Oscar Birk
Producer: Sarah Knowles 

This week, Trump's staggering tariffs on Asia and Europe caused turmoil in global equity and energy markets - as they took effect and were paused - raising many concerns within the energy sector about prices, trade flows, and the future of renewables investments.

With the situation changing day-by-day, even hour by hour, Richard speaks to Norges Bank Investment Management - Norway's Oil Fund - about the state of the global renewables markets, and what long-term impact the events of this week will have on the energy transition.

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel
Contributor: Olav Vilnes - Norway Editor, Montel
Guest: Harald von Heyden - Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure, Norges Bank Investment Management

Podcast Editors: Oscar Birk, Bled Maliqi
Podcast Producer: Sarah Knowles

In this week's episode, the president of the federal network agency discusses the critical issues facing Germany's energy market as the country waits for the new government to take the reins.

How will Germany - and Europe - fill gas storage ahead of the winter, given the current unattractive prices? We also talk about the pressure the country faces to split its price zone, and the outlook for power demand amid a challenging macro-economic environment for German industry. 

Presenter: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
Guest:  Klaus Müller - President, The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur); Nathan Witkop - Editor, Clean Energy Desk

Editor: Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Last Friday, one of the world's largest transport hubs came to a halt for 18 hours after a fire broke out at one of its substations in North Hyde.

Since the incident, National Grid's CEO responded to accusations that Heathrow bosses were forced to shut down the airport due to a lack of power, confirming that the two other substations were operational and fully capable of powering the airport.

Why, then, was the airport not able to connect the power, and why did it take so long to return to its operations?

In this week's episode, Richard speaks to Simon Gallagher, grid expert and MD of UK Network Services, a leading independent energy networks consultancy, about some of the wider concerns this outage raises about the country@s energy security. How vulnerable is some of its crucial infrastructure?

 Host: Richard Sverrisson - Editor-in-Chief, Montel News
 Guest: Simon Gallagher, Managing Director of UK Network Services

 Editor: Bled Maliqi
 Producer: Sarah Knowles