EVOL: GB Energy up for anything, Reform's AR7 threats, and North Sea nuclear

This week's Energy Voice Out Loud is hosted by Aberdeen features lead Ryand Duff, renewables reporter Michael Behr, and E-FWD editor Ed Reed.

GB Energy isn't ruling out this early in its lifetime as Michael sat down with now permanent CEO Dan McGrail. Michael discusses the state-backed energy firm's technology-focused approach as we question whether it is pursuing one sector or if it is spinning too many plates.

Next up, Reform targets renewables as it threatens energy firms that if they bid in the upcoming Allocation Round 7 (AR7), they will face "significant political, financial, and regulatory risk" for their shareholders. This came days after US president Donald Trump said he would be coming to Aberdeen to discuss energy policy with first minister John Swinney and prime minister Keir Starmer. Both Reform and Trump have been anti-renewables in the past, and this week's headlines appear to be stoking the flames of a net-zero culture war.

Finally, on to nuclear as Ed talks us through floating power plants. The idea was raised at a recent conference that reactors could produce energy on barges and send it to shore in industrial areas such as Teesside and Port Talbot. Nuclear-powered shipping was also discussed, however, there are some serious regulatory hurdles the sector would have to clear before that becomes a reality. All in all, the nuclear conversation is heating up in the UK as the government appears to be backing the sector, and with that, yet more conversation about its technology offering will crop up.