Welcome back to The Pexapark Podcast! In the first part of the episode, we dive into recent developments shaping the renewable energy landscape, starting with the European Commission’s long-awaited assessment of the Guarantees of Origin (GoO) market. Hot topics include record-setting results from PJM’s latest capacity auction, implications of hyperscaler-driven demand, and the UK’s Allocation Round 7 for CfDs—and what all of this means for PPA pricing dynamics. We wrap up this section with a compelling look into why hyperscalers like Google are paying over $100/MWh for power—even as forward markets sit near $50—and what that tells us about today’s bifurcated energy markets.

In the second part of the episode, Owain Johnson – Global Head of Research at CME Group and author of Price Reporters – joins us to unpack how price benchmarks are made and why they matter so much to renewable energy markets. Enjoy a discussion on themes including:

• How commodity price benchmarks are created—and what it takes for them to gain market trust
• Why benchmarks are critical for unlocking finance, risk management, and scale in energy markets
• The journey from price reporting to industry-wide adoption and financialization
• What we can learn from benchmark journeys in emerging energy commodities like lithium, ethanol, and weather derivatives
• Case studies on benchmarks in energy transition commodities—like ethanol, lithium, and even temperature indices
• AI’s role in enhancing price discovery and transparency—while preserving the irreplaceable human touch 

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