Energy Voice – Out Loud

EVOL: Acorn support, Ocean Winds graduation, and Reform on reactors

This week, Energy Voice Out Loud (EVOL) looks at the UK's spending review as Scottish energy secretary Gillian Martin says "we need more welders", and a former oil worker writes to Nigel Farage for support. 
First up, the EVOL trio of Aberdeen features lead Ryan Duff, reporter Mat Perry, and E-FWD editor Ed Reed discuss Westminster's support for Acorn. It finally happened, the UK government committed to stumping up cash for the Acorn and Viking CCS projects, however, its spending review document was a little light on details. It's worth noting that after this week's recording session, Ed Miliband appeared in Peterhead to announce £200m for Acron.
Next up, news editor Erikka Askeland spoke with Gillian Martin about the importance of welders in the energy transition as the first cohort of learners on a welding and fabrication pilot training scheme graduated as part of a £100,000 program funded by Ocean Winds.
Finally, we discuss Reform UK and its support for nuclear (which seems to be aligned with Labour's love of reactors) and its disdain for turbines. However, when Reform gets into power, is it really as against the "utter madness" of net zero as leader Nigel Farage lets on?
 

Gigawaters 03: Working in harmony

The third episode of Energy Voice’s Gigawaters series explores the next phase of the UK’s offshore wind rollout – the new processes and systems needed to meet future challenges.
EV renewables reporter Michael Behr is joined by The Crown Estate managing director for marine Gus Jaspert and Orsted UK country manager Benj Sykes to explore how offshore wind can work in a busy North Sea. The needs of fishing, shipping and defence; coastal communities; and of course, the environment, all need to be considered for projects to work in harmony with ocean users.
They discuss how the UK needs to adopt a more systematic approach to reaching the UK’s clean energy goals ahead of 2030, and how all sides need to interact to ensure the country maintains its lead in offshore wind.

EVOL: Energy Exports Conference 2025

This week, news editor Erikka Askeland and Aberdeen features lead Ryan Duff attended the Energy Industries Council's (EIC) Energy Exports Conference in Aberdeen.
 
The show provided insight into how the UK is stacking up to other nations in the energy transition as Bureau Veritas launched its latest report and Aberdeen's Blazewe was honoured at an awards dinner. 
 
Erikka spoke with Ann Johnson, director of Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, about the award and her firm's journey to it, as well as plans for the North Sea and further afield. Next, Erikka caught up with Verlume CEO Richard Knox to talk about his business' export opportunities as he looks to capitalise on recent success.
 
Ryan McPherson, EIC's regional director and general manager for the Middle East, Africa and CIS, joined us in our Aberdeen studio ahead of the event to share his insights. 
 
Finally, Ryan spoke with EIC CEO Stuart Broadley about his key takeaways from the event on its last day. He said that some of the solutions to the UK's policy problems may be able to be found by looking to other nations and their approach to the energy transition. 

EVOL x Bureau Veritas: Live at EEC

In this podcast, recorded live on the show floor of the Energy Exports Conference, Energy Voice Out Loud speaks with Bureau Veritas about its role as the event's Strategic Partner and the launch of the Energy Transition Forum.
Aberdeen Features Lead Ryan Duff speaks with market lead for renewable energy and major projects (CCS), Darren Taylor, and energy and engineering director, Sammy Tweddle.
The trio discuss pessimistic energy transition sentiment in the face of back-to-back record-breaking years for renewables roll out, offshore wind supply chain constraints and  the UK nuclear sector's permitting woes. 

EVOL X Sproule ERCE: Inside the global carbon storage challenge

In this special EVOL X Sproule ERCE podcast, Energy Voice reporter Mathew Perry is joined by Sproule ERCE decarbonisation lead Ellen Mitchell, and CCS principal and reservoir engineer Andy Moore to explore the current landscape of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The discussion spans global policy drivers like carbon pricing and climate goals, technical subsurface considerations such as capacity, injectivity and containment, and the challenges still facing the industry from cost and regulation to synchronising capture and storage infrastructure.
With insights from landmark projects and expert analysis, the episode unpacks what’s shaping the CCS sector across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific.

Energy Voice Live: Where is the green investment?

The Energy Voice Out Loud podcast took to the road this week to broadcast a live debate from The Caves wine cellar in Edinburgh.  
 
News editor Erikka Askeland interviewed the crème de la crème of the folks pushing the energy transition envelope.  
On stage in front of a live audience, Great British Energy’s policy director Paul Addison spoke about the need for a ‘north star’ for 2030. 
 
Wood Mackenzie’s VP for climate consulting Valentina Kretzschmar asked if net zero is achievable, or attracting enough green investment. 
 
Nicola Macleod spoke of the companies in private equity-backed D2Zero’s portfolio that are driving the energy transition.

EVOL X Flexitricity: the future of energy system management

Flexitricity is a pioneer in demand side response (DSR) which allows businesses to benefit by adjusting the way they use energy.
Tune in to hear the electric utility company’s founder and chief strategy officer, Alastair Martin explain to Energy Voice renewables reporter Michael Behr how the industry is facing up to the growth of renewable energy production and the need to meet demand.
The firm’s FlexGO technology, which helps commercial and industrial businesses simplify their energy flexibility journey. is in the market now and will be central to future energy system management. 

EVOL: Ithaca's North Sea moves, offshore wind optimism, and the place for CCS

The Energy Voice Out Loud crew are back to discuss all the latest news from the UK's energy sector. News editor Erikka Askeland fills in reporters Jessica Davies and Michael Behr on Ithaca's latest moves as it pushes on with Rosebank and Cambo, and buys up a hefty stake in Cygnus.
And then Michael shares his thoughts on the state of the offshore wind sector - is optimism falling among key players after several setbacks? 
Finally, Jessica talks carbon capture and storage, and its role in the UK's energy transition.
 

EVOL: All Energy 2025

All-Energy returned to Glasgow and the Energy Voice Out Loud Team were out in force, chatting to folks on the show floor, listening to panels and keeping you up to date with all the latest announcements. 
In this episode of EVOL, news editor Erikka Askeland, renewables reporter Michael Behr, Aberdeen features lead Ryan Duff chat with a handfull of the most interesting people in attendance at Glasgow's SEC. 
First up, Ryan speaks with Statera Energy's policy manager Phoebe Finn about the importance of large-scale renewables projects in the north-east of Scotland as employment uncertainty continues to hit the region. Also, Finn points to policy drivers that could be hindering the UK hydrogen sector's progress and what can be done to fix it.
Michael spoke with the Changineer, consultant Danielle Dale, about the carbon footprints of everyday objects. Which has the higher emissions - a Zoom call, 1kg of asparagus, a bank account or a cup of tea? Michael finds out.
And Erikka speaks with Emma Behjat, chairwoman of the AXIS network to recap their All Energy session entitled Make DEI Great Again and why energy companies can benefit by sticking to the plan to develop talent.
Energy Voice's team of reporters managed to record a few more conversations while at All-Energy so stay tuned in the coming weeks for more insight from the UK's largest renewable energies conference.

Energy Voice Out Loud: Live from All-Energy 2025

Join Energy Voice Out Loud as we broadcast from the show floor of All-Energy 2025, the UK’s largest renewable and low-carbon energy event. In this special episode, our reporters sit down with the five All-Energy Ambassadors to explore the key themes and insights shaping the future of energy.
Hear from:
Dr. Kerry-Ann Adamson, VP & Global Hydrogen Lead at Capgemini
Clare Foster, Partner & Head of Clean Energy at Shepherd and Wedderburn
Iain Sinclair, Executive Director at Global Energy
Lesley McNeil, Head of External & Corporate Affairs at Muirhall Energy
Christianna Logan, Director of Customers & Stakeholders at SSEN Transmission
Each ambassador shares their unique perspective on their area of expertise, highlights from the sessions they’re involved in, and the vital role All-Energy plays in driving innovation, collaboration, and progress across the sector.