Plugged In: the energy news podcast

Hosted by Montel News

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Episodes

367

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

Coming from the heart of the Montel newsroom, Editor-in-Chief, Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson and his team of journalists explore the news headlines in the energy sector, bringing you in depth analysis of the industry’s leading stories each week. Richard speaks to experts, analysts, regulators, and senior business leaders to the examine not just the what, but the why behind the decisions directing the markets and shaping the global transition to a green economy. New episodes are available every Thursday.

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June 11, 2026Episode 2532 min

Finland - a power success story?

As Europe grapples with energy security concerns, expectations of rising electricity demand, and the rapid growth of AI-driven data centres, Finland is emerging as one of the continent's most compelling energy success stories.In this episode of Plugged In, Richard Sverrisson is joined first by Elias Huuhtanen, Finland Correspondent at Montel News, who explains why Finland's long-term approach to energy planning, infrastructure investment and security preparedness has positioned the country as a model for Europe.Richard then speaks with Markus Rauramo, CEO of Fortum and President of Eurelectric, about the opportunities and challenges facing Europe's energy transition. They discuss the impact of AI and data centres on power demand, how Finland is preparing for industrial electrification, the importance of grid investment, and why affordable, clean and reliable energy remains essential for maintaining Europe's competitiveness.The conversation also explores geopolitical risks, Europe's exposure to global LNG markets, hybrid threats to critical infrastructure, and the lessons other countries can learn from Finland's pragmatic and technology-neutral energy strategy.Can Finland's approach offer a blueprint for Europe's energy future?#PluggedInPodcast #EnergySecurity #Finland #Fortum #Eurelectric #EnergyTransition #DataCentres #AI #ElectricityMarkets #Renewables #NuclearEnergy #GridInfrastructure #EnergyPolicy #LNG #CyberSecurity #EnergyResilience #IndustrialElectrification #Nordics #CleanEnergy #EnergyMarketsHost: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Markus Rauramo – CEO of Fortum & President of EurelectricElias Huuhtanen – Finland Correspondent, Montel NewsEditor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon

June 5, 2026Episode 2333 min

Sweden’s energy spat with Brussels

Sweden's dispute with Brussels over electricity market rules is quickly becoming one of the biggest political energy stories in Europe.At the centre of the debate is a huge stockpile of congestion revenues; billions of euros generated from price differences across Sweden's own grid and its interconnectors with neighbouring countries. Stockholm argues the money should stay in Sweden to fix domestic bottlenecks and protect consumers, while the EU wants greater flexibility to use some of those funds for wider European grid projects.But this is no longer just a technical dispute over electricity markets.This week’s episode explains how congestion revenues became such a political flashpoint, why frustrations with Germany and EU market rules are growing, and how Sweden’s widening north-south price divide is fuelling domestic pressure.#EbbaBusch #Sweden #EuropeanUnion #EU #EnergyPolicy #EnergySecurity #ElectricityMarkets #PowerMarkets #Interconnectors #GridInfrastructure #EnergyTransition #Renewables #CongestionRevenues #MarketIntegration #Nordics #Brussels #Podcast #PluggedIn #Montel #EnergyNewsHost: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests: Arne Bergvik - Energy Strategy Consultant, Sigholm Sebastian De Toro - Partner & Head of Investor Services, New RepublicEditor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon

June 4, 2026Episode 2436 min

Feeling the heat: Preparing Europe's grids for summer

Europe's power systems are facing a new reality.As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, electricity networks are coming under growing pressure. Rising cooling demand, aging infrastructure and the rapid expansion of renewable energy are all changing how grids operate during periods of extreme weather.The recent Iberian blackout also highlighted how important resilience, flexibility and interconnection have become in maintaining system security.So is Europe's electricity system ready for a hotter future?In this episode of Plugged In, Richard speaks with Julia Demirdag, Germany Correspondent at Montel News, Guy Nicholson from Statkraft, and Paweł Czyżak from Ember about how heatwaves are reshaping Europe's power sector.Together they explore why grids are increasingly becoming the critical point of vulnerability, what lessons can be learned from the Iberian blackout, and how batteries, storage and smarter system design could help future-proof Europe's electricity networks.#PluggedInPodcast #MontelNews #EnergyTransition #PowerMarkets #GridResilience #Heatwaves #EnergySecurity #BatteryStorage #ElectricityMarkets #Renewables #EnergyPolicy #NetZeroHost: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Julia Demirdag – Germany Correspondent, Montel NewsGuy Nicholson – Head of Zero Carbon Grid Solutions, StatkraftDr Paweł Czyżak – Europe Programme Director, EmberEditor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon

May 21, 2026Episode 2248 min

How many wake up calls does Europe need?

The US-Israeli led war in Iran and the prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is once again exposing Europe’s vulnerability to global energy shocks; raising urgent questions about gas storage, LNG dependency and whether governments have learned anything from previous crises.In this episode of PluggedIn, Montel’s Richard speaks with Henning Gloystein from Eurasia Group and Saul Kavonic from MST Marquee about the escalating conflict and growing risks facing energy markets and global supply chains.Could shipping flows resume within weeks, or are market participants underestimating the possibility of years of disruption? The discussion explores fuel shortages, LNG price risks, Europe’s storage dilemma, China’s strategic positioning, and why many analysts believe the global economy is only beginning to feel the effects of the crisis.With competing forecasts and mounting geopolitical tensions, the episode examines what comes next for energy markets, and whether the world is prepared for a prolonged supply shock.#StraitOfHormuz #LNG #NaturalGas #OilMarkets #EnergyCrisis #GlobalEnergy #Geopolitics #EnergySecurity #GasMarkets #TTF #EnergyTransition #Iran #MiddleEast #ShippingCrisis #EnergyPodcast #Montel #PluggedInPodcast #OilAndGas #EuropeEnergy #LNGMarketsHost: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Saul Kavonic, Head of Energy Research, MST MarqueeHenning Gloystein, Managing Director - Energy & Resources, Eurasia Group Editor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon

May 14, 2026Episode 2137 min

Celebrating curtailment: Are negative prices really that bad?

Negative power prices are becoming increasingly commonplace in Europe’s electricity markets. With solar generation soaring and renewable buildout accelerating, Europe’s power systems are increasingly producing more electricity than consumers need during certain hours of the day. The result? Wholesale electricity prices falling below zero, with generators effectively paying the market to take their power.But are negative prices actually a problem — or a sign that the energy transition is working? Should we be celebrating curtailment?The panel explores why countries like Germany, the Netherlands, France and Spain are seeing growing numbers of negative-price hours, how grid congestion and inflexible generation are contributing to the issue, and whether batteries, storage and demand-side flexibility can keep pace with the rapid expansion of renewables.They also debate why overbuilding renewables is economically rational, and whether current market structures are fit for a power system dominated by wind and solar.#EnergyMarkets #NegativePrices #Curtailment #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #PowerMarkets #BatteryStorage #SolarPower #WindEnergy #GridFlexibility #ElectricityMarkets #NetZero #EnergyStorage #MontelNewsHost:Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:André Bosschaart - Head of Analytics, MontelAnton Tijdink, Policy advisor - Electricity Market Design, TenneT TSOCaroline Pailliez, Montel Journalist, FranceEditor: Oscar Birk Producer: Alexandra Carlon

May 7, 2026Episode 2034 min

Snorkelling for negative prices

Norway - and the Nordic power system more generally - have seen fewer instances of negative prices than their continental counterparts in recent weeks. Why has the region been “snorkelling” while others have been plumbing the depths of negative prices.Norway’s hydropower system is under pressure after one of the coldest winters in 16 years and a prolonged period of low precipitation. Reservoir levels in southern Norway remain well below normal, raising questions about energy security, winter preparedness and the growing role of Europe’s interconnected power markets. But is the situation really as serious as headlines suggest?Joined by some of the foremost experts on Norwegian hydropower and the market dynamics, together, they explore how low snowpack, dry weather patterns and shifting hydrological balances are affecting Norway’s power outlook — and why imported renewable energy from continental Europe may actually help save water in Nordic reservoirs ahead of winter.The panel also dives into the explosion of negative power prices across Europe, the impact of Germany’s rapid solar buildout, whether batteries and grids can keep pace with renewables growth, and why some analysts believe Europe’s energy transition is entering a period of extreme volatility.#EnergyMarkets #Norway #Hydropower #PowerMarkets #RenewableEnergy #Nordics #ElectricityPrices #NegativePrices #EnergyTransition #SolarPower #WindPower #EnergySecurity #GridInfrastructure #BatteryStorage #LNG #EuropeanEnergy #PowerTrading #WeatherRisk #HydroReservoirs #PluggedInPodcastHost:Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Katinka Bogaard - Founder, MD and Analyst - Volt Power AnalyticsIvan Føre Svegaarden - Head of Energy Analysis and Weather Risk Management - TradeWpower AS Tor Reier Lilleholt - Head of Analysis - Insight by VolueEditor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon

April 30, 2026Episode 1931 min

Gas storage: Complacency or Crunch?

Europe may have emerged from winter without a full-scale gas crisis; but with storage levels unusually low, geopolitical tensions rising, and summer-winter price spreads offering little commercial incentive, the real challenge may only just be beginning.Germany, home to Europe's largest gas storage capacity, is facing mounting pressure to refill ahead of winter while the war in the Middle East, uncertainty around LNG transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and fragile industrial demand all cloud the outlook. Across Europe, policymakers are weighing whether market forces alone can deliver enough supply; or if strategic intervention may once again be required.Will Europe’s gas market rebalance in time, or are governments heading back into crisis-management mode?Host:Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Maria Haensch – Germany Correspondent, Montel NewsSebastian Gulbis – Managing Director, Enervis Energy Advisors GmbHErisa Pasko – Senior European Gas Analyst, Energy AspectsEditor:Alexandra CarlonProducer:Alexandra Carlon#GasStorage #Germany #EuropeanGas #LNG #EnergySecurity #NaturalGas #Geopolitics #EnergyMarkets #PluggedInPodcast #Montel

April 23, 2026Episode 1836 min

Reshaping French energy

From the streets of Paris to the heart of Europe’s energy regulation, this episode explores how geopolitics, market design and infrastructure are reshaping France’s - and the continent’s - energy future.As tensions in the Gulf ripple through global gas prices and Europe’s energy markets, France finds itself in a uniquely resilient position, buoyed by nuclear power, growing renewables and strong export capacity. But beneath that stability lie complex questions about pricing, interconnectors, and the long-term balance between supply, demand and affordability.So how can Europe maintain energy security, keep prices competitive, and still accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future?In this episode, Richard sits down with Emmanuelle Wargon, President of France’s Energy Regulator (CRE) and Chair of the Board of Regulators at ACER. She shares insights into France’s evolving power mix, why electricity prices there have largely decoupled from gas, and how Europe is navigating the pressures of global gas supply shocks.Richard and Emmanuelle also explore the growing debate around marginal pricing, the urgent need for grid investment and interconnectors, and the delicate challenge of scaling renewables without undermining market stability. From LNG dependency to nuclear resurgence and the politics of cross-border energy flows, this conversation offers clarity over the trade-offs shaping Europe’s energy system.#EnergyTransition #FranceEnergy #EmmanuelleWargon #EuropeanEnergy #PowerMarkets #GasPrices #NuclearEnergy #Renewables #EnergySecurity #Interconnectors #ElectricityMarkets #GridInfrastructure #LNG #DecarbonisationHost: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuest: Emmanuelle Wargon, President of CRE and Chair of ACER's Board of Regulators Editor: Alexandra CarlonProducer: Alexandra Carlon & Caroline Pailliez

April 16, 2026Episode 1737 min

“Strange” prices rattle Europe's power markets

Across Europe, power prices are behaving in ways that are leaving even seasoned market participants questioning what they’re seeing. From negative prices to seemingly counterintuitive flows between some price zones, the electricity system is becoming harder to interpret, and certainly more complex.On April 6, negative prices of EUR -15,000/MWh in Belgium's balancing market highlighted just how volatile and weather-driven Europe's power system has become. But are these signals a sign of dysfunction, or simply the reality of a system in transition?So, what’s really going on beneath the surface?In this episode, we unpack what’s driving so-called “odd” or “irrational” pricing across Europe, from the rise of renewables and battery storage to the increasing role of algorithmic trading and complex market design. We also explore whether market participants are equipped to handle this growing complexity, and what risks and opportunities lie ahead.#EnergyMarkets #PowerMarkets #ElectricityPrices #EnergyTransition #Renewables #NegativePricing #EnergyTrading #Volatility #EuropeanEnergy #GridSystems #EnergyCrisis #ElectricityMarket #NetZero #BatteryStorage #AlgoTradingHost:Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuests:Alina Trabattoni – Italy Correspondent, MontelFrank Boerman-Lima – Flow-Based Capacity Calculation Expert, TenneTJulien Jomaux – Energy & Power ConsultantEditor:Oscar Birk Producer:Alexandra Carlon

April 9, 2026Episode 1633 min

Gulf Ceasefire: fragile or firm?

A fragile ceasefire in the Gulf offers a moment of relief; but is it already beginning to unravel and will it have lasting implications for gas supply in the region and far beyond?Recorded on the morning of April 9, amid fast-moving geopolitical developments, this special episode examines what the latest developments mean for global energy markets, LNG flows, and Europe’s energy security.Is this ceasefire a genuine turning point, or simply a pause before further escalation? Host Richard Sverrisson speaks with Montel’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Laurence Walker, before diving deeper with leading analysts Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz and Arne Lohmann-Rasmussen. Together, they unpack the reality behind halted LNG tankers, the uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing risks facing global gas markets.As tensions remain high and clarity remains low, one thing is certain: energy markets are entering a new phase of volatility. #EnergyMarkets #LNG #Geopolitics #GulfCrisis #Ceasefire #GasMarkets #EnergyCrisis #EuropeEnergy #StraitOfHormuz #GlobalEnergy #EnergySecurity #Commodities #Podcast #EnergyTransition HostRichard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsGuestsLaurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel NewsAna Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, Lead Energy Analyst (Europe), IEEFAArne Anders Lohmann Rasmussen, Chief Analyst, Global Risk ManagementEditorOscar Birk & Alexandra Carlon ProducerAlexandra Carlon

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