Explaining Germany's energy transition 'reality check'

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 Vittoria 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.

In this episode of the Energy Evolution podcast, Eklavya Gupte speaks with co-host Taylor Kuykendall, a senior metals and mining reporter at S&P Global Commodity Insights, about the current state of the US coal industry. Although the sector has experienced a significant decline in its share of electricity generation over the past several decades, recent data indicate a resurgence in production compared to last year. This uptick in coal production coincides with the Trump administration's rollout of several policies and initiatives that favor the coal industry, igniting optimism among coal miners regarding the potential to meet rising electricity demand. However, Taylor cautions that the industry faces several challenges under the current administration, including ongoing trade tensions with key partners. He also highlights long-term forecasts indicating that while coal may see short-term gains, demand could contract again in the coming years due to competitive natural gas prices and the continued expansion of renewable energy sources. Links: CAPP rail (CSX) OTC CAKM001 PRB 8,800 OTC CTAM001 Low Vol HCC AAWWR00 FOB Baltimore CUATB04

In this episode of Energy Evolution, we explore how the EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation is pushing the shipping sector to decarbonize, creating new market dynamics in the world of marine fuels. Under FuelEU Maritime, which took effect from Jan. 1, 2025, ships calling at European ports have a mandate to cut greenhouse gas intensity by 2% this year from 2020 baselines, escalating to 80% by 2050. Host Eklavya Gupte speaks with Chris To, lead specialist in alternative fuels pricing at S&P Global Commodity Insights, about how the maritime industry is adapting to these regulatory changes. To also explains how the policy is spurring innovative compliance trading strategies, including the banking and pooling of surplus credits between compliant and noncompliant vessels.

As India tries to position itself as a global hydrogen leader, the World Hydrogen India conference by S&P Global Commodity Insights — scheduled to take place Sept. 25–26 in New Delhi — is set to bring together the nation's decision-makers and industry experts to examine the regulatory frameworks, investment opportunities, and technological innovations shaping India's hydrogen economy. The event will also address the critical challenges and opportunities defining the sector's trajectory. From the National Green Hydrogen Mission's implementation to emerging trade dynamics and project financing strategies, the event is set to provide strategic insights essential for navigating India's evolving hydrogen landscape. Sambit Mohanty, Asia Energy Editor, discusses some of the key themes with Dave Ernsberger, co-president of S&P Global Commodity Insights, and R. K. Malhotra, president of the Hydrogen Association of India. What are the steps needed to bring transparency to a market that would ultimately drive efficiency and bring down cost over time?

Seen by hundreds of thousands, Swedish utility Vattenfall's expletive-laden campaign with Hollywood icon Samuel L Jackson asks the question: Offshore wind farms, yes or no? On this week's episode of Energy Evolution, Vattenfall's head of brand Monica Holmvik Persdotter explains the process behind the campaign and how the utility thinks about public discourse regarding the technology. Effective communication and local engagement have tangible impact on green-lighting new offshore wind projects, David Bidwell, professor of Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island in the US, told correspondent Camilla Naschert. Audio clips sourced via European Commission and Vattenfall AB.