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 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.