Energy Connects Podcast

As the energy sector accelerates towards a digitally driven, low-carbon future, the path forward is anything but simple. In this episode of the Energy Connects Podcast and as we prepare for the World Utilities Congress 2025, we revisit a standout conversation from the Energy Connects Studio with Oxana Dankova, Global Energy Network Lead at BCG. Oxana discusses the real-world challenges of transitioning to a renewable-powered energy system - from the volatility of solar and wind to the pressure of balancing supply and demand in real time.She emphasises the critical role of AI and advanced data analytics in managing modern power grids, enabling predictive infrastructure planning and simulating countless scenarios to avoid costly missteps. Oxana also highlights the potential of decentralised energy systems - particularly at the distribution grid level - to boost resilience and efficiency, especially in developing regions. Drawing on global case studies such as South Australia's rooftop solar boom and evolving EV strategies across Europe and the US, she outlines what a more flexible, responsive utility model could look like - and the barriers that still remain.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to explore the pathway to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. That was the target committed to by world leaders at COP28 in Dubai, a historic agreement that was in line with recommendations by IRENA on how to close the energy transition gap and stay on a 1.5°C pathway.Singh discusses the progress made on that journey and outlines actions for the global energy community to ensure we are on track with this target. She also highlights how consistently decreasing cost of renewables is helping speed up their deployment across the industry, and why the World Utilities Congress in May will help propel the industry towards a sustainable future.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast ahead of Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Joe Raia, Chief Commercial Officer at Abaxx Exchange, to discuss the role of LNG as a fuel for change, and how that is altering global trading markets. Joe highlighted the critical role of LNG as an essential enabler of the energy transition, and spoke about how natural gas as an energy base load has helped expand the international trade of LNG. He also expanded on the key takeaways from Japan's new draft Strategic Energy Plan, and his thoughts on the upcoming Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025 in June.

In this episode of the Energy Connects podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Mandeep Narang, Director of Operations at Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited, about the critical role of sustainability in the hydrocarbon industry and how organisations can balance energy production with environmental responsibility.As the first private organisation to sign onto the United Nations Environment Programme's Methane Reporting and Reduction Initiative, Cairn is setting a new standard for responsible energy practices. The episode explores the strategies, innovations, and commitments that are shaping the company's approach to reducing its hydrocarbon footprint while ensuring long-term sustainability.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy and columnist for Energy Connects, to discuss the new US energy agenda and how it could reshape and impact the global energy community. Delving into the Trump Administration's first clutch of decisions about the energy sector – such as expanding drilling and resuming export permits for new LNG projects, Robin also talks about the implications of the US Energy Emergency and the outlook for shale. He also discusses the way forward to make grids more reliable, and the role of low-carbon solutions in our energy future.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of the 24th World LNG Summit and Awards, host Nour Eltigani sits down with Xi (Lucy) Liu, General Manager of Dongguan Daosen Natural Gas and Miaoru Huang, Director of Asia Pacific Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie, to delve into the rapidly evolving natural gas market in China, a nation balancing ambitious renewable energy targets with its push for carbon neutrality. Liu offers a closer look at Guangdong province, a trailblazer in China's energy transformation. She highlights that the province has always been ambitious in integrating renewable sources like solar and wind. Natural gas complements these efforts, acting as a bridge fuel that fills the gaps when renewables fall short. Meanwhile, Huang explores the evolving dynamics of China's gas markets. She elaborates on how pipeline imports are playing a pivotal role in stabilising energy supply during the nation's renewable energy transition. She explains how pipeline imports act as a critical foundation for China's energy infrastructure.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta spoke to Leila Hoteit, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to discuss why insufficient talent and upskilling risks could slow down the journey to a lower-carbon future. Highlighting the pivotal role of education and climate literacy in reskilling the energy industry for a greener global economy, Leila talks about what education systems need to do to cater to the demands of the energy transition. She also talks about changes at the institutional level across the region in adapting the educational curriculum for a net-zero future with a focus on sustainable and renewable energy solutions.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of the World Utilities Congress 2024, host Nour Eltigani sits down with His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council, to discuss the Council's efforts in addressing the pressing challenge of water scarcity in the Arab region.Dr. Abu-Zeid also highlighted the Council's pivotal role in promoting sustainable water management through key initiatives aimed at improving water efficiency and quality. He emphasised the barriers posed by climate change, noting that Arab countries are actively working to mitigate its impacts on water resources. Additionally, Dr. Abu-Zeid also shed light on innovative technologies and research projects that are making strides in enhancing water management practices across the region.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta sits down with Dr. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, to delve into the significant opportunities nuclear energy presents for decarbonising the industry. During this extensive conversation, they cover a range of topics including the World Nuclear Association's Net Zero Nuclear initiative, which was launched at COP28 with the goal to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. They discuss how the nuclear industry is addressing its clean-energy perception, noting its position as the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity worldwide. The discussion also highlights nuclear energy's pivotal role in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to abate, like metallurgy, petrochemicals, and the oil & gas industry. Additionally, they explore the anticipated demand for nuclear energy in the coming years amid its global resurgence, the industry's approach to overcoming regulatory and financing challenges, and Dr. Sama's insights on cultivating future leaders in the global nuclear field as the President of the World Nuclear University.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President of Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie, and Eugene Kim, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie's Americas Gas Research team, to dive deep into the debate over whether data centres and AI could shake up the global LNG market. Outlining the evolution of the US shale gas market, Massimo and Eugene provide valuable insight into how that will define the competitiveness of the US LNG sector, and the long-term outlook on LNG markets and contracts developing globally. With digitalisation and AI seen as essential enablers of the energy transition, they also discuss why upscaling both will lead to a massive surge in power demand, and how the energy sector is likely to cope with it.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Grant Dougans, Partner and Lead of Energy and Natural Resources at Bain & Company, to discuss whether confidence in the world's ability to achieve net zero by 2050 is eroding. Grant explains why an increasing number of global energy executives feel that net zero by 2060 is a more accurate reflection of the current realities of the energy transition, as published in Bain's annual Energy & Natural Resource Executive Survey. He touches on the recognition by the industry of the scale of infrastructure needed for the energy transition to succeed, the shift in capital spending patterns for long-term projects, and why ROI is emerging as a stumbling block for investments in clean energy. They also talk about energy transition being all about project economics, how policy certainty is critical for all stakeholders to pick up pace on the transition, and why energy efficiency matters in the global landscape for green energy investments.

In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Editor-in-Chief Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Ben Cahill, Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), for a broad discussion on the latest advances in the global LNG landscape, energy security and curbing emissions. Ben explains why the current US LNG pause could matter globally in the post-2030 capacity dynamics, the immediate ripple effects of the decision, and how the LNG sector and the energy industry in general is pursuing the pathway to a lower-carbon future. He also touches on the impact of clean energy initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter on the industry.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy and founder of Access for Women in Energy, ahead of International Women's Day to discuss why increasing female representation across the industry is an urgent necessity. Outlining how the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals prompted more inclusivity in the industry, Dr Carole calls for more women's participation, specially at the leadership and executive levels, and greater commitments from the corporate sector to make their workforce truly diverse and ready for the future. She also unpacks the details on how a just energy transition is a great opportunity to support the professional development of women in the industry, globally.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of India Energy Week 2024, Chiranjib Sengupta catches up with Vandana Hari, the founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, on why India remains a bright spot for the energy industry and the opportunities for companies to invest in one of the world's most dynamic markets. Vandana elaborates on the outlook for the Indian and global energy market against an extraordinary environment this year, the policies and collaboration needed to bolster India's upstream sector, and what she is looking forward to at India Energy Week in Goa this February.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of India Energy Week 2024, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Dr Ranjit Rath, Chairman & Managing Director of Oil India Ltd, one of India's prominent Maharatna or mega-jewel national oil companies and one of the oldest E&P companies in Asia. One of India's leading geoscientists, Dr Rath outlines Oil India's historic contribution to the Indian energy sector, how it is the sheet anchor for the Hydrocarbon Vision for India 2030, the company's plans for overseas collaborations and setting up a carbon sequestration hub. He also talks about the outlook for the Indian energy market, Oil India's role in India's ambitious energy transition journey, and why he is looking forward to India Energy Week in Goa next month.

In our next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast recorded at COP28, Chiranjib Sengupta catches up with Benjamin Dineshkar, Head of DNV Maritime Advisory, Middle East & Africa, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the decarbonising the maritime sector. They discuss why the maritime sector is so critical for the energy transition, and the response to the new UAE Maritime Decarbonization Centre set up in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Benjamin also highlights how innovation and technology will play a key role in the industry's journey to net zero, and what DNV is doing to bring the sector together.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects Podcast recorded at COP28 in Dubai, Chiranjib Sengupta talks to Ferdinand Varga, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, on scaling up decarbonisation solutions for the global energy industry. In this exclusive episode, Ferdinand also discusses ways to close the $18 trillion climate finance gap, how regulators can help develop nascent renewables markets and the expectations of the industry from COP28.

In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Grant Dougans, Partner at Washington, DC for Bain and Company, and the global lead of the company's strategy capability across Energy and Natural Resources sectors, to discuss the lessons learnt from the recently published Global Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) analysis. Grant dives deep to examine whether companies are doing enough to speed up decarbonization and whether the target of Net Zero by 2050 is realistic, and identify new growth opportunities for energy businesses. They also discuss technologies that would be most critical to the pursuit of energy transition, the fallout of a shortage of technical talent in the industry, and why 2030 is a pivotal year in the race to net zero.

In this latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Julian Walker speaks to Javier Doblas, Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), about the critical role that hydrogen plays in the energy sector. With BCG estimating the global low-carbon hydrogen market by 2050 to represent a value of $600 billion to $1.1 trillion, Javier elaborates why low-carbon hydrogen will need to play a pivotal role in helping decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, in order to boost the prospect of achieving the Paris Agreement and reaching net zero.

In this new episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, Energy – Asia Pacific at Wood Mackenzie, to discuss a wide range of global themes running across the energy sector as countries and companies pursue the energy transition. Gavin dives deep to assess the current rate of progress on the energy transition, the mind-boggling scale of the opportunity for low carbon technology, and the $70-trillion investment that is up for grabs over the next decades. They also discuss the challenges of offshore wind, the role of gas and LNG in the energy transition, and how Wood Mackenzie is adapting to the demands of the new energy trilemma.

In this COP28 focused episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Editor-in-Chief Julian Walker hosts Rawan Oueidat, CFA Corporate Ratings at S&P Global Ratings. In the lead up to COP28 in the UAE, they focus on the global and regional growth opportunities for sustainable finance. Rawan highlights why the global green, social, sustainable and sustainability linked issuances will recover to about $1 trillion this year, and how sustainability bonds will become more prevalent. She also touches on the trend of investor mandates and regulatory oversight shifting more towards an ESG and green focus across the region.

In this new episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics and Next Generation Research at Bank Julius Baer, to discuss the profound changes in global energy markets brought about by the energy transition. They discuss the structural transformation taking place across the energy value chain as the pursuit of a lower carbon future gathers momentum in the industry, focusing on electric mobility and clean energy. Norbert outlines why Europe fared much better than feared during the energy crisis last year and how markets showed resilience in absorbing intense supply shocks. He also talks about how niche areas such as hydrogen are showing signs of growing into full-fledged commercial markets, driven by rapid progress in technologies, and what the future of the industry will look like.

In this episode of the Energy Connects Podcast, Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Deepika Sriram and Sergey Shiposha, Managing Associates at Linklaters, to discuss all about ESG as the region pivots to a lower carbon future. Diving into the key trends shaping the ESG and climate transition space in the Middle East, they examine the Middle East ESG Legal Outlook 2023 published recently by Linklaters and co-authored by Deepika and Sergey. They talk about new developments in ESG regulation and disclosure requirements, the ESG related activities in the region's energy sector between COP27 and COP28, and how the global energy community is responding to the challenge of achieving a just energy transition. They also outline the financing landscape for emerging sectors that are critical to the transition, such as hydrogen and CCUS.

In the latest episode of Energy Connects Podcasts, Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Henning Huenteler, Expert Associate Partner at Bain and Company, to discuss why carbon markets are crucial to the success of Gulf economies achieving their net zero ambitions. They talk about the carbon market landscape in the region and how GCC states are deploying a wide array of decarbonisation strategies and carbon abatement solutions on their journey to a low-carbon future. Henning also delves into the debate over carbon offsets as greenwashing, addresses the challenges of quantifying Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and outlines the common governance standards and industry benchmarks that define carbon markets. He narrates how recent carbon-credit exchanges in the region are building the perfect momentum for carbon offsets and why the outlook for voluntary carbon markets in the Gulf and Middle East is positive.

In the latest episode of Energy Connects Podcasts, Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Keisuke Sadamori, Director of Energy Markets and Security at the International Energy Agency (IEA), for a wide-ranging discussion on the global energy landscape and the pathways to a clean energy future. They talk about the outlook for global energy markets after an extraordinary year last year, the impact of China's reopening of the economy, the rising demand for natural gas and LNG, and the role of low-carbon hydrogen from nuclear energy in the energy transition. They also discuss how the winter of 2023 is likely to shape up for Europe from an energy security perspective, and the prospect of the Biden administration replenishing its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the world's largest supply of emergency crude oil. Sadamori outlines the reasons why LNG supply growth was modest globally last year and why LNG trade will remain under pressure until 2026. He examines several final investment decisions for LNG projects that did not materialise in 2022. They also delve into role of natural gas as a transition fuel and how it will integrate higher shares of variable renewables in global grids, ways to prevent methane emissions, the scope for low emission gases such as biomethane, and investments in the clean energy industry.

In the latest episode of Energy Connects Podcasts, Editor-in-Chief Julian Walker hosts Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, to talk about the energy transition and why 2023 will be such an important year with the UAE hosting COP28 later in the year. Robin outlines why we are entering a phase of acceleration when it comes to the energy transition with a ramping up on spending across the whole renewable energy sector. They also touch on why this is an important year for the Middle East as the UAE will be hosting COP28 and the region needs to make the most of it and lay the groundwork for future activities. Robin explains how the solar boom in the Middle East is spreading out from the core countries like UAE, Jordan, and Egypt to new markets in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. They also look at hydrogen and how there is a huge amount of activity with 60 plus hydrogen projects in the MENA region at various stages.

In the latest episode of Energy Connects Podcasts, Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Vandana Hari – founder of Vanda Insights, the Singapore-based provider of intelligence on the global energy markets. They talk about the overwhelming response to the inaugural edition of India Energy Week that took place earlier this month in Bengaluru, and discuss India's role in developing new energy resources and its level-headed approach to the global energy transition. Vandana outlines why balancing energy security with the needs of the energy transition will be crucial for nations such as India, and they also examine energy diversification projects, including in renewables and hydrogen. They also delve into the emergent technologies that are helping transform the energy sector, and the key challenges ahead for the industry.

Energy Connects Managing Editor Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Russ McMeekin, CEO and Co-Founder of mCloud Technologies and a digital tech trailblazer with leadership roles at Yokogawa and Honeywell, to discuss methane – the other greenhouse gas – for the latest episode of Energy Connects Podcasts. Methane has 80 times more warming power in the near-term than carbon dioxide and reducing its impact is widely considered a critical mission for global net zero goals. In this podcast, Russ and Chiranjib talk about how, as the world struggles to sequester emissions, new digital tools are emerging to help energy-intensive industries meet this urgent challenge. They also delve into mCloud's collaboration with Google Cloud, Aramco's decarbonisation, the history of energy transitions and why COP28 is a pivotal moment for the industry.

In this week's podcast Patricia Roberts theme is “Records Broken and Broken Records” as she summarises some of the market records broken this year and the 3 issues, we all talk about (like broken records!) which have been holding us back - hopefully now we are starting to address those!

The biggest/ longest deal in history and there's more! - more news and coverage of the week's top events.

In this week's LNG Wrap Patricia Roberts speaks with Ruth Liao from ICIS about the outage of a complete liquefaction plant at a time when LNG is needed more than ever!

The theme we are looking at this week is ‘A Delicate Balance'. We are looking well prepared for winter, but the weather is a big factor in keeping gas supplies in balance.

The theme for this week's LNG wrap is “Don't get complacent!” Despite falling spot gas prices and high stocks in Europe, we need to keep building resilience to manage our business going forwards.

This week Patricia Roberts looks at the theme of a “wet warm windy winter” as bring the best outlook for getting gas supply demand into balance.

This week's LNG wrap's main theme is “next steps on pricing” Patricia Roberts covers the challenges in the EU to curb gas prices and find a pathway which will delink LNG prices in Europe from pipeline prices

In this week's LNG wrap Patricia Roberts looks at the theme of “ Develop new- now!!” - A call for new LNG infrastructure across the LNG supply chain, to accommodate the growing demand for LNG and cites the companies in the news who are doing just that.

The theme for this week's LNG wrap is “new gas needed for Europe's new gas year” where Pat covers the short-term balancing act as a result of uncertain Russian pipeline gas.

This week's LNG Wrap is themed around a huge topic: “setting a contextual framework for European energy and LNG demand forecasting”. Patricia Roberts is joined by Rob West, CEO of Thunder Said Energy, to discuss his big picture thinking.

This week's LNG Wrap is centred around the theme “Short term needs and long term goals”. It explores the view that despite burning more polluting fuels in 2022, the world can transition to much lower carbon emissions and it rounds up the short-term supply demand balancing act for Global gas.

In this week's podcast, Patricia Roberts looks at the spectre of “Base Case Zero” - i.e. zero Russian gas flows to Europe as a possible reaction to the EU looking to impose a price cap on Russian gas imports.

In this week's LNG Wrap, Patricia Roberts asks “What's next?” in a week that has seen gas prices rise to over $100/ MMBtu and then fall by $25/MMBtu. Join us for a roundup of news and insights.

This week Patricia Roberts' theme considers “Difficult but not drastic?” a comment made by the German economy minister. As TTF prices rise significantly - we review what's happening.

Join Patricia Roberts as we work through the key headlines of the week affecting European and Asian spot markets as hit new highs on prices and fears on supply concerns further down the curve.

In our latest podcast, Julian Walker the Editor-in-Chief of Energy Connects, spoke to Will Foiles Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Project Canary about the growing use of ESG assessment in the energy sector and what Project Canary is doing differently in this space.

Patricia Roberts works through the news and trends pointing out that faltering energy supply from droughts and hot weather is creating a ripple effect in Europe and Asia with spot prices rising. On the longer horizon, LNG growth development looks promising.

This week, Patricia Roberts looks at the challenge of making energy demand fit current supply, and the forward developments in the LNG business which are going to improve supplies over the next 5 years.

This week, Patricia Roberts tackles the theme of “Action - Reaction”, as we chart through the weekly news of falling Russian pipeline flows, voluntary plans to reduce demand, soaring spot prices and new term deals.

This week, Patricia Roberts wraps up the weekly news around the theme of “In the Hot Seat”. She covers short term gas/ LNG supply demand imbalances, rising prices, hot weather, and intentions to cut demand, but also good LNG developments on the horizon.

Julian Walker, Editor-in-Chief of Energy Connects, talks to Bjorn Otto Sverdrup, The Chair of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative's (OGCI) Executive Committee about its zero methane emissions initiative and why this represents a shift change for the oil and gas industry. We also touch on what new technologies will play a role in n helping the industry reduce methane emissions.

The United States is the number one exporter of LNG for the year 2022, but will that sustain. In this episode, Energy Connects talks to Wayne Ackerman, a global energy expert on the future of the LNG market in North America, specifically the United States. Ackerman discusses what are the stakes for exporting further LNG to Europe as the European Union looks to decrease its dependence on Russia's gas. The expert also discuss what the future of the LNG market looks like as the American continent exports more.

We spoke with the CEO of Thailand's national oil company, Phongsthorn Thavisin from PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), about its long-term growth and sustainability plans. The podcast discusses PTTEP's strategy going forward and why the Middle East remains an important growth region. This podcast was sponsored by PTTEP.