Montel

Norway says no to nuclear for now

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:19:20 GMT

A government-appointed committee, tasked with exploring the viability of nuclear power production in Norway, published its findings last week, deciding that there wasn’t a pressing need to embrace this low-carbon, baseload capacity due to very high costs and extensive construction times. Reporting by Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway. Contributors: Terje Aasland, Norwegian Energy Minister; Jorgen Bjorndalen, Chief Consultant, DNV; and Jonny Hesthammer, CEO, Norsk Kjernekraft.

Hormuz under siege – Italy sounds the alarm

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:00:14 GMT

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called free passage through the Strait of Hormuz a national priority, warning that Iran's transit tolls risk incalculable damage to global energy and commodity markets. Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, European Energy Correspondent, Montel News. Contributors: Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister; Guido Crosetto, Italian Defence Minister.

Security of supply - main challenges for Denmark - Morten Bo Rasmussen....

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:51:51 GMT

Price hedging for renewables. PPAs vs merchant risk? Flemming Sørensen, Head...

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:51:39 GMT

Energy Trading serves a purpose – it’s hopefully not too late Louise Hahn,...

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:51:33 GMT

From flow-based market coupling to 15-minute trading - experiences so far...

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:51:18 GMT

Nordic power price outlook Ljubov Cherney, Director Analysis, Montel Syspower

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:50:11 GMT

The Middle East crisis: Implications for gas and CO2 prices Arne Anders...

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:49:25 GMT

German decongestion plan alarms renewable energy operators

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:31:40 GMT

Germany has rapidly expanded renewable energy in recent years. By the end of 2025, it had around 210 GW of installed renewable capacity, mostly solar and wind, up by more than 60% since 2020. But power line networks are struggling to keep pace. Increasing volumes of clean energy are being wasted as operators are paid to switch off production to ease network congestion. Germany’s economy ministry wants to tackle this waste, but its plans are raising alarms among renewable energy investors.

Reporting by Nathan Witkop, Editor, Clean Energy Desk, Montel News. Contributors: Stefan-Joerg Goebel, Senior VP for Germany, Statfraft; Leonhard Birnbaum, CEO, EON; Thomas Schlaak, Partner, Deloitte; and Marco Wuensch, Principal, Prognos.

Geopolitical uncertainty brings European gas storage into focus

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:49:04 GMT

As LNG-reliant Europe comes to terms with the near-term loss of a fifth of global supply, amid ongoing war in the Middle East, there is a heightened focus on the region’s gas storage facilities and their role in providing supply flexibility and energy security. While storage levels are at their lowest since April 2022, Europe will likely still achieve its storage targets, but at what cost? Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Charlotte Roule, President of Gas Storage Europe; Robin Cannings, Commercial Director, Storengy UK; Yahdian Falah, Senior Portfolio Manager, Trianel.

Italy scrambles to plug gas gap

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:52:06 GMT

European gas prices are at three-year highs due to the war in Iran, forcing countries like Italy to scramble for alternative supply on the global market. Rome says it is better prepared than most. Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel News. Contributors: Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italian Energy Minister; and Nicola Monti, CEO, Edison.

Germany’s gas-storage dilemma –  state help or market outcome?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:57:40 GMT

With gas prices soaring amid a prolonged war in the Middle East, Germany must solve a dilemma when it comes to filling up its storage facilities for next winter. Does it provide regulatory assistance or rely on the market to secure the country’s gas stocks? Reporting by Katharina Johannsen, Reporter, Montel News, Germany. Contributors: Balier Saberi , FSE Portfolio Management and Sebastian Gulbis, Enervis Energy Advisors.

Another energy crisis – boom or bust for the green transition?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:02:29 GMT

The war in Iran could trigger another global recession, with oil and gas prices already at 4-year highs. But might it also be a boon for investments into green energy? Reporting by Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Gökşin Bavbek, Consulting Manager, Aplus Energy Consulting; Todor Marinov, Deputy CCO, Enery Energy; and André Bosschaart, Head of Analytics, Montel EnAppSys.

CBAM: Implications on power markets in CSEE

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:27:06 GMT

Middle-East conflict: Impact on global gas market

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:26:57 GMT

CBAM - Decarbonising indirect electricity emissions for industrial...

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:15:09 GMT

Most CBAM conversations focus on energy exports. This one doesn't. Ivana Đurović, Category Manager Renewable Energy at Knauf, shifts the lens to corporate off-takers and the indirect emissions challenge that energy-intensive manufacturers across Central and Southeastern Europe are quietly unprepared for.

Drawing on procurement experience across 33 plants in the region, she walks through how CBAM handles indirect emissions differently from the EU ETS, why hourly-matched physical PPAs are currently the only compliant path to reducing CBAM certificate costs, and what that means practically for companies consuming grid electricity in non-EU countries.

Key topics covered include how indirect emissions are calculated and reported under CBAM, the rules around acceptable evidence of low carbon consumption, why virtual PPAs do not qualify and physical delivery is required, how hourly matching works in practice without requiring 24/7 coverage, the flexibility of technology choice under CBAM including older hydro and nuclear assets, and why physical PPAs remain essentially non-existent in Western Balkan markets despite growing compliance pressure.

She closes with a pointed question the industry is avoiding: if exports are stalling, merchant revenues are compressing, and CBAM penalties are approaching, could the regulation itself be the catalyst that finally gets utilities and corporate buyers to the same table?

A timely session for corporate energy buyers, procurement teams, PPA developers, and anyone tracking the commercial implications of CBAM beyond the grid.

Comparison of BESS optimization in Western Europe vs CSEE Guy Holding,...

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:44:41 GMT

Guy Holding (enspired) breaks down cross-market BESS optimization using live data from a German asset, making the case that performance warranties alone can add over €15 million across a project lifetime. Stella Zacharia (Optimus Energy) follows with Greek market data showing curtailment rates peaking near 15% in spring 2025, a clear signal that storage deployment is overdue.

The panel brings together all four speakers to tackle the big questions facing CSEE battery markets: how fast cannibalization will hit, why multi-market optimization is non-negotiable in shallow markets, what the Greek grid connection queue means for project timelines, and what separates a strong route-to-market partner from the rest.

The message is simple. The first movers who get assets live now will capture the best returns. The question is not whether cannibalization comes. It is whether you are already earning before it does.

An essential session for BESS developers, investors, and optimizers building a strategy in CSEE.

The risk of European fragmentation amid CSEE energy uncertainty Andrés Cala,...

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:31:19 GMT

In this session, Montel's Geopolitical Energy Analyst Andrés Cala delivers a frank assessment of the fault lines fracturing European energy solidarity, and why the CSEE region is at the centre of it.

Andrés maps the uncomfortable reality facing Hungary and Slovakia: with 80–95% Russian dependency on oil and gas, these are not countries that can simply pivot overnight. Against a backdrop of blocked EU loans to Ukraine, stalled sanctions packages, threatened gas flow cuts, and looming elections, he argues the EU's slow-moving decision-making machine is dangerously ill-suited to the pace of events.

Key topics covered include:

Why Hungary and Slovakia's energy dependencies make them structural vulnerabilities inside the EU
The limits of LNG as a realistic replacement for pipeline gas in landlocked, cost-sensitive economies
Turkey's role as a potential southern back door — and the constraints on that route
Greece–Bulgaria interconnection capacity and what's actually being used
Why the vertical gas corridor debate is less about infrastructure and more about who pays
The transparency and liquidity gap in CSEE gas markets
Whether EU market design reforms are sufficient — and Andrés' blunt answer: no

He closes with a wider challenge to Western European leaders: peripheral countries, whether in the east or the south, will not remain committed to a project they feel is being played unfairly. Fragmentation is not a distant risk. It is already underway.

A sharp, unfiltered perspective for anyone tracking European energy policy, gas market dynamics, or geopolitical risk.

BESS market outlook in CSEE: the high-spread investment frontier André...

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:09:46 GMT

In this session, André Bosschaart from Montel Analytics breaks down why battery energy storage systems (BESS) are one of the most talked-about assets in European energy markets right now, and where they make the strongest business case.

André walks through the fundamentals driving BESS profitability: fuel mix dynamics, day-ahead and intraday price spreads, ancillary services correlation, and the role of gas-fired generation in creating the volatility that batteries thrive on. Using real market data from March 2025 and 2026, he presents a country-level leaderboard across Europe — and makes a compelling argument for why the CSEE region (Central, South and Eastern Europe) currently offers the best conditions for battery investment.

Key topics covered include:

How solar, wind and gas generation shape daily price spreads across CWE, Nordic, Iberian and CSEE markets
Why hydro-dominated grids suppress battery revenues
The relationship between gas plant efficiency, fleet age and price volatility
Grid connection challenges and asymmetric connection agreements facing developers today
The geopolitical dimension: why elevated gas prices — however unfortunate their cause, strengthen the BESS business case

André closes with a sobering thought: the same energy transition that's driving battery demand could eventually saturate the market and undermine the very economics that make batteries attractive today.

A sharp, data-driven presentation for anyone working in energy trading, asset optimisation or BESS investment strategy.

Hourly GO Matching - a boost to green market credibility?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:49:12 GMT

A proposal to require a finer match in time and space between production and consumption of renewable electricity aims to increase the credibility of renewable power claims in Europe. Critics fear it will undermine a voluntary market with more than 1,000 TWh in annual turnover.

Reporting by Olav Vilnes, Nordics editor, Montel News.
Contributors: Killian Daly, executive director EnergyTag and Ivar Munch Clausen, Director Business Development at Ecohz.

Q4 2025 Outlook: Long-term market expectations for EU & Nordic power

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:08 GMT

Two systems, one challenge: Renewables integration in Germany and France

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:59:50 GMT

Fundamental analytics in power markets made easy

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:58:22 GMT

Optimising BESS configurations for grid constrained environments

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:57:58 GMT

Valuing regional wind & PV assets in volatile markets

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:57:48 GMT

Navigating complex energy markets amid geopolitical turbulence

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:57:33 GMT

Numeric Intelligence A to Z smarter market insight faster decisions

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:55:18 GMT

From Data to Clarity building transparency in Europe's power markets

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:54:19 GMT

From oversupply to flexibility: How Europe can reduce negative price hours

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:53:38 GMT

Seeing the shortfall before it happens forecasting imbalance in real time

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:17:10 GMT

US grip on Europe’s LNG faces Qatari challenge

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:31:33 GMT

With Qatar set to ramp up LNG exports significantly over the coming years, more volumes could be heading to Europe.

Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Giovanni Bettinelli, Analyst & Advisor, GFB Insight; Cristian Signoretto, Director, Global Gas & LNG Portfolio, Eni; Liz Westcott, Acting CEO, Woodside Energy.

Lessons in war: Can Europe learn from the carnage in Ukraine?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:55:55 GMT

Russian missiles and drones have destroyed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Millions are without power or heating. Now into its fourth year, the war has disrupted the world’s energy supply. What are the key lessons for Europe?

Reporting by Christopher Eales, France Editor, Montel News.

Contributors: Henning Gloystein - Managing Director of Energy and Resources, Eurasia Group.

Hanns Koenig - Managing Director, Aurora Energy Research EMEA.

February freeze could drain German gas storage, boost energy prices

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:44:57 GMT

Forecasters warn a severe February freeze could drain German gas storage to single‑digit fills by April, triggering sharp gas and power spot-price spikes. A breaking polar vortex may unleash cold, windless conditions leaving supplies tight for the remainder of this winter and even next.

Reporting by Julia Demirdag, Montel News.

Contributor: Robin Girmes - Founder & CEO, Energy Weather.

Picasso unpacked: insights and future moves

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:42:27 GMT

Will Norway turn to nuclear to meet demand growth?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:21:57 GMT

Analysts have warned that Norway risks turning into a net importer of electricity in the early 2030s due to strong demand growth and domestic opposition to build onshore wind farms. Can nuclear power solve the country’s long term supply challenge?

Reporting by Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel News. Contributors: Jonny Hesthammer, CEO, Norsk Kjernekraft; Sigbjorn Seland, Chief analyst, StormGeo.

Europe’s LNG imports face choppy supply in 2026

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:33:39 GMT

Europe’s LNG imports are expected to grow again this year, potentially reaching new record levels. The chilled fuel remains vital for the region’s energy security amid its transition to cleaner technologies. However, a variety of factors – including supply and demand trends, geopolitical developments, and policy decisions – will continue to shape market flows.

Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Erisa Pasko, Senior European Gas Analyst, Energy Aspects; Ronald Pinto, Principal Insight Analyst for LNG & Natural Gas, Kpler; Olumide Ajayi, Senior LNG Specialist, LSEG.

Italian batteries: the blueprint for Europe?

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:43:47 GMT

The roll out of storage in southern Italy could solve the problem of intermittent renewable output as well as stabilising prices. The rest of Europe will be watching closely.

Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel.

Contributors: Giorgio Perico, Senior Consultant, Key to Energy. Andrea Marchisio, Founding Partner, Elemens.

Auction flop stalls Germany's offshore wind

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:54:55 GMT

Germany has ambitious plans to grow offshore wind as part of its efforts to secure 80% of its power from renewables by 2030. But a recent tender failed – a bad sign for an industry the country had hoped to grow from 9 GW at present to 30 GW by the turn of the decade. The industry says Germany is going about developing the sector the wrong way – and that time is running out to get investment back on track.

Reporting by Nathan Witkop, clean energy desk editor, Montel News.

Speakers: Matthias Janssen, associate director, Frontier Economics; Katherina Reiche, federal minister for economic affairs and energy, Germany; and Andreas Mummert, policy director, German offshore wind energy foundation. This video was first published on 23.09.2025

Slovakia faces hard landing from Russian gas exit

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:45:44 GMT

Slovakia was among the hardest hit European nations when Russian gas transiting via Ukraine ended at the start of this year. Together with Hungary, the two countries have been outspoken in their criticism of EU plans to phase out all Russian gas by the end of 2027. But what has been the impact on supply and costs so far, and what can – or should – Slovakia do to mitigate this?

Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News.

Contributors: Michal Lalik, Director of the Trade Division, SPP; Pavel Hradek, Founder, Slovak Gas Museum. This video was first published on 09.09.2025

A complex web? Nordic balancing market under fire

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:42:04 GMT

Huge price swings, unpredictability and an increase in complexity have led to widespread criticism of the Nordic balancing market.

Reporting by Snoljfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News.

Contributors: Matthew Creese, Head of Market Operations for Wind & Solar, Aneo; Priyanka Shinde, Nordic Expert, Montel Analytics; Armen Kasparov, Head of Energy Trading & Portfolio Management, Eesti Energia.

This video was first published on 02.09.2025.

Russian gas? “No, never again” says EU Energy Commissioner

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:04:02 GMT

It's been a busy first year for the EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen. The Iberian blackout, grid congestion, curtailment of renewable energy and a record number of negative prices. How does he plan to tackle some of these issues in 2026?

In this episode, Richard sits down with the EU´s top energy official in the heart of the European Commission to discuss the details of his grids package released earlier this week, his stance on the future of Russian gas supplies, and how he is trying to work with member states who oppose the ban.

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

Contributor: Fatima Sadouki - Brussel's Reporter, Montel News

Guest: Dan Jorgensen - European Commissioner for Energy

Editor: Oscar Birk

Producer: Sarah Knowles

Iberian blackout reignites battle over Spain’s nuclear future

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:42:27 GMT

The Iberian blackout in April has reignited and intensified the debate over Spain’s nuclear future. Nuclear proponents are pushing for licence extensions so that nuclear energy can shore up the country’s power system, while critics question the cost of such a move and what repercussions it might have for the green transition.

Reporting by Pablo Bronte, Editor Iberia, Montel News.

Contributor: Pedro Linares, Energy regulation expert and professor at Comillas University.

Could Norway’s fixed-price power scheme deepen Nordic hydro, wind woes?

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:58:59 GMT

Although Nordic wholesale power prices are already expected to rise around 30% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 due to lower hydropower reserves, Norway’s new fixed-price scheme, known as the “Norway price”, could push prices spikes even higher on cold days with little wind.

Reporting by Olav Vilnes, Nordics editor, Montel News.

Contributor: Eylert Ellefsen, Senior analyst, Montel EQ.

Germany floats energy subsidies for its beleaguered industry

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:15:27 GMT

Germany wants to offer energy intensive companies access to a subsidised power price starting from next year. This comes amid mounting pressure on policymakers to restore the competitiveness of industrial sectors struggling to compete against global rivals with much cheaper energy. The government has all but finalised talks with the European Commission to make its plans conform to the EU’s competition rules. Those restrictions ensure the government’s relief will buy a limited respite, at best. Reporting by Nathan Witkop, Editor, Clean energy desk, Montel News. Contributors: Matthias Belitz, Head of energy policy, VCI; Fabian Huneke, Project leader, Agora Energiewende.

Declining electricity demand questions UK power scenarios

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:05:25 GMT

The UK’s electricity demand is on the decline, calling into question optimistic forecasts of a significant upturn. With system operator Neso building a grid equipped to manage an abundance of renewables, will data centres stem a potential oversupply?

Reporting by Kelly Paul, Reporter, Montel News.

Contributors: Dhara Vyas, CEO, Energy UK; and Simon Gallagher, Managing director, UK Networks Services.

Dunkelflaute Alert — windless cold snaps could send prices soaring once more

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:50:58 GMT

Europe is bracing for another winter as its power system is rewired around renewables like wind and solar. But with flexible fossil fuels being scaled back, unease is growing about the possibility of a “Dunkelflaute”— a windless cold snap that hits when demand peaks and has been responsible for catapulting prices overnight over the last year.

Reporting by Julia Demirdag, Reporter, Montel News. Contributor: Alessandro Armenia, Insight Analyst Power, Kpler.

Rotterdam’s coal era fades amid energy transition

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:39:29 GMT

The port of Rotterdam has been a key European gateway for coal imports for decades, but with the EU’s phasing out of this dirty fossil fuel amid the transition to cleaner fuels, how is the port adapting? Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Refke Gunnewijk, Manager Clean Industry & Transport, Port of Rotterdam Authority; Dico Regoord, Commercial Director, ZHD Stevedores

France's energy turmoil – Is there any way out?

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:38:21 GMT

France's political landscape is frozen, jeopardizing beleaguered president Emmanual Macron's plans for massive investment in nuclear power and renewables set out in a 2022 speech at Belfort. Can the country break the ice with presidential elections looming?

Reporting by Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News. Contributors: Julien Teddé, CEO Opera Energie; Maxence Cordiez, expert, Montagne Institute; Samantha Arriaga. Energy analyst, Veolia; Pierre Jeremie, Head of investment, Hy24; and Marie Dégremont, Associate researcher, SciencePo Paris.

Can a new electricity highway bridge Norway’s price gap?

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:03:07 GMT

Norway’s problems with transmission bottlenecks are long-running, but the issue has become even more acute in recent years, as new interconnectors, rapid electrification and heavier precipitation in the north of the country have clearly exposed grid limitations. On 2 October, a new 420 kV Aurland-Sogndal power line was brought into service, immediately strengthening power flows between Norway’s western NO5 and central NO3 bidding zones. But what role is this new electricity line going to play in bridging the country’s significant power price gap between the hydro-rich north and demand-heavy south?

Reporting by Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel News. Contributor: Tord Lien, Head of Communication, Tronderenergi.

Footage of construction work on the Aurland/Sogndal power line was provided by Norwegian TSO Statnett.

Data centres – From grid burden to flexible asset?

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:23:58 GMT

In cities like Dublin, London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, data centres already consume 40-80% of electricity and that power demand is expected to rapidly increase in the years ahead. However, these power-hungry facilities may also have a silver lining. They could actually help stabilise the grid by providing demand response flexibility.

Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, European Correspondent, Montel. Contributor: Stefano Da Empoli, CEO, I-Com.

Mind the Gap – Is the UK’s gas storage shortfall a concern?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:39:01 GMT

There is some concern that the UK’s limited gas storage capacity and growing reliance on imports leave it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes. Projects like the Bains redevelopment, in the East Irish Sea, may offer future relief, but will not arrive soon. In the meantime, reducing dependence on gas in power generation and accelerating the renewables rollout will be crucial in stabilising prices and ensuring energy security.

Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Tony O’Reilly, CEO & Founder, dCarbonX, Fintan Devenney, Senior Energy Analyst, Montel Analytics.

Spain's coal dies – Long live gas?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:19:35 GMT

The phase-out of coal-fired generation in Spain marks a milestone in the country’s green transition but also presents immediate challenges for the grid. Surging renewable capacity requires backup generation when there is no sun or wind. Interconnectors, demand-side management and storages will be crucial in the coming years, but also gas-fired plants. Reporting by Pablo Bronte, Editor Iberia, Montel News.

Contributor: Margarita Flores, senior power research analyst at LSEG.

Coal plant demolition footage provided by Iberdrola and Endesa.

Will Norway turn its back on the European electricity market?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:50:38 GMT

Norway’s Labour party managed to retain power in September’s general election but now depends on the political support of those that oppose further integration with the EU electricity market. How will this affect Norway’s energy policy over the next four years?

Reporting by Olav Vilnes, Nordics editor, Montel News.

Contributor: Torbjorg Jevnaker, Senior Researcher at Cicero - Centre for International Climate Research.

Battery Storage in Europe: key trends & revenue evaluation

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:05:20 GMT

Nordic balancing market: what will the future bring?

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:49:34 GMT

BESS solutions in Europe and the Nordics

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:48:43 GMT

Long-term power price outlook: the Nordics and Continental Europe

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:48:10 GMT

PPAs in Flux: Hybrids, Falling Prices & ESG Rethink

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:44:37 GMT

Low Demand, High Distortion: Spain’s Energy Struggle

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:41:49 GMT

Valuing flexibility for Traders, Asset Operators & Balancing Service Providers

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:38:44 GMT

Storing up trouble? The role of batteries in Europe's energy transition

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:27:15 GMT

Batteries could come to the aid of Europe’s energy transition by reducing the instances of negative prices, easing grid congestion and avoiding the curtailment of renewable energy. But it’s not quite that simple.

Reporting by Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief at Montel News.

Contributors: Ksenia Tolstrup - Principal, Magnus Energy. Lukas Feldhaus - Manager, Thema Consulting Group. Jean-Paul Harreman - Director, Montel Analytics.

Europe’s power networks need stronger crisis strategies

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:03:35 GMT

European transmission system operators need to abandon decades-old emergency planning standards as blackouts this year in Spain, Portugal Italy, France, Czechia and southeast Europe have exposed critical vulnerabilities. Otherwise, as electricity demand soars and renewables reshape the grid, Europe's aging planning frameworks may find it hard to keep the lights on.

Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, European Energy Correspondent, Montel News.

Contributors: Matt Brown, Vice-President Energy, AFRY Consulting; and Daniel Muir, Senior Energy Analyst at S&P Global.

Commodity outlooks for the energy supply chain with Nadia Martin Wiggen,...

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:42:09 GMT

Abundant Swedish wind blows profits away?

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:02:18 GMT

A massive renewables expansion in northern Sweden has hit earnings of wind power producers hard, raising questions about the pace of the green transition going forward. Reporting by Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel News. Contributor: Axel Weyler, Originator, Entelios.

Scorched turbines – Heatwaves stall Europe’s wind power

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:16:16 GMT

Heatwaves across Europe have created a ‘heat dome’ of high atmospheric pressure, and unusually warm sea temperatures. This Hitzeflaute – a period of high temperature and little or no wind – is even more intense and persistent than in previous years and their increasing frequency and duration is reducing wind speeds, further tightening power supply just as demand surges for air-conditioning. Wind developers and power producers should brace themselves for turbulence over the coming years as the world heats up.

Reporting by Julia Demirdag, Reporter, Montel News.

Contributors: Robin Girmes, CEO & Founder, Energy Weather; and Riccardo Longo, offshore grid manager, WindEurope.

Will Germany’s immense infrastructure debt help the country’s energy transition?

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:27:17 GMT

After Germany amended its constitution in mid-March to allow for 500 bn EUR in debt for infrastructure and climate neutrality by 2045, as well as unlimited debt for defence spending, the new government has some room for manoeuvre. In these times of an economic downturn and a changeover in the international order, dilapidated infrastructure could receive a makeover, the economy could receive a growth stimulus, and Europe could gain greater independence from the US. But how will it affect the energy sector and, even more importantly, the country’s transition to a climate-neutral energy supply?

Reporting by Katharina Johannsen, Reporter, Montel News, Germany. Contributors: Daniel Hölder, Head of Global Policy & Markets, Baywa Re; Henning Gloystein, Practice Head Energy, Eurasia.

This video was first published on 8th April, 2025.

2025 and 2026 energy outlook for Poland - Unlocking investments or hindering...

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:18:52 GMT

EU ban on Russian LNG reloads may boost supply to Europe

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:01:46 GMT

On the 26 March, the EU will impose a ban on the transhipment of Russian LNG at European ports. What impact will this measure have and where? Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel. Contributors: Olumide Ajayi, Senior LNG Specialist, LSEG and James O’Brien, head of LNG, D.Trading.

This video was first published on 14th March 2025.

Will the Nordic region set a new power export record in 2025?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:24 GMT

The Nordic countries hit a record-high net power export of 41 TWh last year amid increased renewables and nuclear capacity. With reservoirs levels already at unprecedented highs ahead of the coming snowmelt, will the continuing buildout of renewables and lagging demand lead to a new record this year? And how will that affect power prices for the rest of this year?

Reporting by Gert Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel.

Contributor: Sigbjorn Seland, Chief analyst, StormGeo.

This video was first published on 11th April 2025.

Europe urged to tap into domestic gas reserves

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 07:28:16 GMT

Europe's energy security challenges have been exposed by recent geopolitical crises, and nowhere is this more evident than in its gas supply. According to the International Energy Agency, Europe only produced 221bcm of natural gas in 2024 but its consumption that year was more than double that, standing at 490bcm. Could the continent’s untapped gas reserves provide an alternative to a reliance on unreliable foreign suppliers?

Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel.

Contributor: Davide Tabarelli, President, Nomisma Energy.

*Correction – Currently, the EU imports almost 90% of the gas it consumes annually, but if these five fields were exploited, that import reliance would drop.

This video was first published on 28th March 2025.

Spain’s power blackout – A stress test for renewables?

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:34:08 GMT

April’s massive blackout across Spain and Portugal has re-ignited debate about the rapid rollout of renewables, grid stability, and the need for new tools as the power system transforms. The worst blackout in Spain’s recent history has come loaded with lessons for the future energy transition.

Reporting by Pablo Bronte, Editor Iberia, Montel.

Contributor: Ana Barillas, Director, Aurora Energy Research Iberia.

This video was first published on 27th May 2025.

A slowdown in European negative power prices?

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 15:19:42 GMT

Power consumers in central and southeastern Europe may see a decrease in the instances when they are paid to use electricity due to weather conditions, high gas prices and savvy power traders.

Reporting by Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Amani Joas, Managing Director, FlexPower; and Gábor Szatmári, Head of CEE Sales Region, Montel.

This video was originally published on 28th April 2025.

Have French politicians lost the energy plot?

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:19:34 GMT

Some French politicians appear determined to drive the country off the road to carbon neutrality as parliamentary posturing quashes reasoned debate.

Reporting by Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News.

Contributor: Marie Degrémont, an associate researcher at the SciencePo Paris academic institution.

France’s Integration into PICASSO – Early Insights and Market Impact

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:07:28 GMT

EU steams ahead with plans to ditch Russian gas

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:41:47 GMT

The EU aims to end Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, but how realistic is this? While the phase-out is a key step in cutting funds for Russia’s war in Ukraine, the nuts and bolts of how this could be achieved remains uncertain and complex.

Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Kateryna Filippenko, Research Director, Global Gas Markets at Wood Mackenzie; Robert Songer, LNG Market Analyst at ICIS.

New nuclear – learning from Finland

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:21:31 GMT

Several countries, most recently the UK, have announced plans to build new nuclear plants. Some have heralded a new renaissance for atomic energy, while others say the pledges mean locking in expensive and inflexible power generation. Finland – the last country to bring a reactor online, albeit massively overbudget and delayed – could provide some advice for those planning new build.

Reporting by Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Heidi Laurila, CEO, Myrsky Energia; Janne Peljo, Chief Policy Advisor, Climate and Biodiversity, Confederation of Finnish Industries.

The impact of short-term volatility and negative prices

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:22:43 GMT

Balancing markets: Will extreme volatility persist?

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:44:12 GMT

Ensuring affordable energy supply for new investments - It all starts with...

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:41:37 GMT

The geopolitics of battery supply chains

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:58:09 GMT

Low prices hit northern Norwegian power producers hard

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:03:24 GMT

Power producers in northern Norway are struggling with a persistent period of unusually low power prices, forcing them to cut investments and limit wind power generation as well reduce dividends for their shareholders.

Reporting by Gert Ove Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel News. Contributor: Eylert Ellefsen, Senior Analyst, Montel Analytics.

Data centre boom – What can Europe learn from Ireland?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 10:56:10 GMT

Ireland’s ambitions to become a tech hub saw a surge in data centres, mostly clustered around Dublin. Ireland has said it will not allow new facilities in or around Dublin until at least 2028, as it is concerned about supply security. Attaining grid access and providing enough clean energy to feed power hungry data centres will be crucial if the rest of Europe is to emulate Ireland but learn from its mistakes.

Reporting by Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributors: Dara Lynott, CEO, Electricity Association of Ireland; and Ryan Alexander, Principal, European Advisory, Aurora.

Flow-based market coupling: So far so good?

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:27:17 GMT

Germany pivots to carbon capture and storage to cut emissions

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:38:50 GMT

Germany’s new government has different energy priorities from its predecessor. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Union campaigned on preserving energy security and keeping costs down. It shares the prior centre-left government’s aim to make Germany carbon neutral by 2045. But unlike its predecessor, it is more open to which technologies should pave the way there. One of these is carbon capture and storage – or CCS. Whether this is always economical, however, is another matter.

Reporting by Nathan Witkop, Editor Clean Energy Desk, Montel News. Contributors: Carsten Rolle, Director of Climate and Energy Policies, Federation of German Industries (BDI); Manfred Fischedick, Scientific Managing Director of the Wuppertal Institute.

Greenlink: a review of activity and market impact

Wed, 28 May 2025 15:43:08 GMT

Italian data centres shift to medium-voltage grid

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:50:10 GMT

As data centre demand surges across Italy, operators are making a strategic shift in how they connect to the power grid. With TSO Terna struggling to keep pace with connection requests, companies are bypassing traditional high-voltage connections in favour of medium-voltage alternatives. Reporting by Alina Trabattoni, Italy Correspondent, Montel. Contributors: Emmanuel Becker, CEO of Mediterra, and Giulio Troncarelli, CEO of Internet of Things.

EU Energy Outlook - Update Q2-2025

Wed, 21 May 2025 14:53:46 GMT

Energy outlook

CSEE Energy Day 2025

Wed, 21 May 2025 10:51:09 GMT

How to navigate volatile balancing markets in the Nordics?

Wed, 21 May 2025 10:49:23 GMT

Complexity slows key EU power market reform

Tue, 20 May 2025 10:41:52 GMT

European market operators have agreed to postpone a move from hourly to quarterly trading windows for day-ahead power markets from 11 June to 1 October. The decision slows a reform deemed crucial to integrate more renewables in the electricity grid but is also supported by some who fear systems are not ready yet to cope with the increased complexity.

Reporting by Olav Vilnes, Editor Nordics.

Contributors: Tom Darell, CEO Nord Pool, Jens Nordberg, Head of Power Trading, Varberg Energi.

Pumping hydro to boost UK power grid resilience

Wed, 14 May 2025 12:48:44 GMT

The UK will need an increasing amount of dispatchable energy supply to balance the electricity grid as it adds more renewables such as wind and solar. The country’s hydro reserves have the potential to meet this requirement, providing a reliable source of supply to generate electricity and meet demand when it’s needed the most. The government is facing calls to provide more incentives to attract investment and boost the sector’s development.

Reporting by Kelly Paul, Energy Reporter, Montel News.

Contributor: Fintan Devenney, Senior Energy Analyst at Montel Analytics.

EU coal imports face bumpy path to oblivion

Tue, 06 May 2025 09:12:11 GMT

Europe’s appetite for thermal coal remains in structural decline, amid widespread plant closures and ever-expanding green generation capacity. While there may be some short-term upturns in demand – as seen in the first quarter of this year – coal's role in the power mix is fading as Europe pushes toward cleaner energy. Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel News. Contributor: Alexis Ellender, Senior Lead, Dry Bulk Insights, Kpler.

Living on a high wire - A French balancing act?

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:07:59 GMT

France is living on a high wire as it increasingly resorts to expensive methods to cope with midday solar peaks to balance its grid. Amid TSO warnings, the country will have to focus on boosting demand with nuclear not flexible enough to tackle oversupply.

Reporting by Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel News.

Contributors: Jean-Paul Harreman, Montel Analytics Director; Emeric de Vigan, Power Analyst, 42 Advisors.

German regulator talks gas storage, price zone split

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:02:53 GMT

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: Oscar Birk, Bled Maliqi
Producer: Sarah Knowles

Germany’s new government to prioritise cheaper energy

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:52:26 GMT

After winning a general election on 23 February, Germany’s centre-right Christian Union (CDU/CSU) hopes to form a coalition government with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) by early May. Bringing down energy costs will be one of their chief priorities. This is leading some to suggest curbing the pace of renewable energy and grid expansion.

Reporting by Nathan Witkop, Desk Editor, Montel News.

Contributors: Markus Krebber, CEO, RWE; and Fiete Wulff, Spokesman, Federal Network Agency.

New Nordic back-up scheme sparks uncertainty

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:01:41 GMT

The cost of balancing the Nordic power market has risen considerably since the region launched a joint automated market for frequency reserves on 4 March. The new mechanism aims to better align supply with demand in a power market increasingly dominated by weather dependent wind and solar generation but also poses huge risks for companies that fall out of balance.

Reporting by Olav Vilnes, Editor Nordics, Contributors Priyanka Shinde, market expert Montel and Jakob Bendixen, partner at Our New Energy.

Spain’s solar boom – A victim of its own success?

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:06:38 GMT

After rapid growth in recent years, Spain is starting to witness a slowdown in renewables deployment. The success of the country’s solar buildout has depressed prices to such a degree that developers are now struggling to secure the revenues they need for their green investments. Reporting by Pablo Bronte, Editor Iberia, Montel. Contributor: Javier Revuelta, Senior Principal, Afry Spain.

Norway’s energy minister shrugs off criticism of fixed power price

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:02:28 GMT

Norway’s minority government plans to introduce a fixed power price of EUR 34/MWh from 1 October, a proposal that has been strongly criticised by its neighbours Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Despite this, Norway’s energy minister Terje Aasland is standing fully behind the decision. As things stand, it seems very likely that this populist move will be adopted by the Norwegian parliament and enter into force on 1 October. Reporting by Gert Mollestad, Editor Norway, Montel. Contributor: Svend Boye, Partner, Thema. Archive footage of Norway in 1990s provided by www.youtube.com/@bjoisac.

AI boost to short-term power trading

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:46:24 GMT

The increasing deployment of AI in weather forecasting is set to boost opportunities for short-term power traders – but they need to move fast as the first mover window will undoubtedly close quickly. Reporting by Julia Demirdag, Energy Reporter Germany, Montel News. Contributor: Alexander Stauch, Head of Marketing, Meteomatics. Footage provided by Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD).

Germany votes on how to back up renewables

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:58:26 GMT

Germany will elect a new parliament this weekend after the collapse of a governing coalition of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals late last year. The centre-right Christian Union is favoured to win, but none of the country’s centrist parties is polling well. A backlash against established parties has boosted the hard right AfD. Centrists with differing views on how to back up renewable energy will need fresh compromises to form a new government.

Reporting by Nathan Witkop, Desk Editor, Montel News. Contributor: Philipp Heuser, Principal Consultant at E-Bridge.

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