Show Notes
It’s been nearly a year since Spain’s catastrophic blackout and key questions remain. Post-mortem reports point to a complex chain reaction in the grid, with no single trigger and gaps in coordination between operators, regulators and generators. The findings expose deeper challenges: inconsistent voltage rules, rising operational complexity and a system evolving faster than its controls. Renewables were initially blamed for helping trigger the crisis, but they are fundamental to the Iberian grid and must be part of the solution. So what has Spain really learned, and how prepared are other power systems for the next shock? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Eva Gonzalez Isla, a senior associate from BNEF’s grids team, to discuss her note: “Spain’s Blackout Reports Expose Voltage Safety Risks.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Spain’s Blackout Reports Expose Voltage Safety Risks - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tcd1wrkjh6v700 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Switched On
Gas turbines are a hot topic. Orders for this critical piece of infrastructure are surging alongside rising power demand and the need to refurbish aging power plants. Data centers are adding urgency, particularly in the US, and scarce delivery slots are pushing prices higher. Manufacturers are expanding production, but past overcapacity is keeping them cautious about chasing today’s demand too aggressively. So how long can the boom last? And can manufacturers capitalize on the gas turbine boom without overplaying their hand? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BNEF global gas specialist Atin Jain to discuss findings from some of his research, including “Global Gas Turbine Order Trends 1H 2026: Records Shattered” and “Global Gas Turbine Manufacturing Outlook: Crunch, for Now.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Global Gas Turbine Order Trends 1H 2026: Records Shattered - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40519 US Data Center Gas Demand Outlook 2026-2035 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40383 Global Gas Turbine Manufacturing Outlook: Crunch, for Now - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40247 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Europe’s power mix is changing fast. Ample output from wind, solar and nuclear means that northwest Europe could require significantly less power from fossil fuels this winter than last. At the same time, rising electricity demand from EVs and data centers is shifting market dynamics across Europe, creating new opportunities for technologies like solar and batteries. So how are Europe’s power markets evolving, and what does that mean for prices and investment? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Arhnue Tan from BNEF’s European power team to discuss findings from some of her team’s notes, including “European Power Monthly October 2026: Renewables Retreat,” “European Power Winter Outlook: Cleaner Mix,” and a series of outlooks covering individual power markets across Europe, which we’ve hyperlinked below. Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: European Power Monthly October 2026: Renewables Retreat - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40545 European Power Winter Outlook: Cleaner Mix - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40431 Germany Power Market Outlook 2026: Batteries Versus Gas - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40407 Italy Power Market Outlook 2026: Renewables Edge Out Gas - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40373 Nordic Power Markets: Demand Outlook - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39425 France Power Market Outlook 2026: Price High, Supply Ample - https://www.bnef.com/insights/39197 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The energy transition is reshaping how companies make money. BNEF’s new Transition Risk and Opportunities Outlook models revenues for more than 70,000 companies as demand shifts across energy, transport and commodities. Businesses exposed to renewables, grids, EVs and transition metals could benefit, while others may face shrinking markets and rising carbon costs. So which companies are positioned to capture new opportunities, and which are most exposed to the transition? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF finance policy and transition risk specialist Maia Mesanger and transition risk and alignment analyst Estella Agyepong to discuss their note “Transition Risk and Opportunity Outlook 2026.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Transition Risk and Opportunity Outlook 2026 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40403 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Power plants have a water problem that’s getting harder to ignore. Coal, gas and nuclear facilities rely heavily on water for cooling, leaving some exposed as drought and heat intensify pressure on freshwater supplies. Wind and solar generation have a dramatically lower dependence on water, but thermal plants will remain critical to power systems, and many existing assets are located in areas facing growing water stress. That creates risks beyond individual generators. Water shortages can constrain power supply just as heat pushes electricity demand higher, potentially affecting prices and consumers across the system. So how vulnerable is the power sector to water stress, and can the energy transition reduce the risk? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF climate research analyst Alistair Purdie to discuss findings from his note “Thirst for Power: Water Stress in Electricity Generation.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: Thirst for Power: Water Stress in Electricity Generation - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40317 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Europe’s gas market is heading into winter with little room for error. Lower storage levels and disruption in the Middle East have left the region more exposed to weather and competition for LNG. BNEF’s base case sees European storage falling to 21% by the end of March, but a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption or a particularly cold winter could push it toward 10%. Much will depend on temperatures, renewable generation and LNG demand elsewhere, particularly in Asia. Longer term, new supply could loosen the global gas market, but BNEF expects that relief to arrive from 2028 onwards. So how tight could the gas market get this winter, and what could tip the balance? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF European gas market analyst, Arham Muhammad, and weather team associate, Jess Hicks to discuss the notes “LNG Market Outlook 2035: Oversupply to Fuel Demand Growth” and “European Gas Market Outlook 2035.” Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com Links to research notes from this episode: European Gas Winter Outlook 2026-2027 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40331 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.