Powering the Future talks to the visionaries, political change makers and thinkers that are shaping the energy system of the future. A system based on massive electrification, abundant renewable energy and no reliance on polluting and volatile fossil fuels.
The Powering the Future pod examines the new social and political battlegrounds of the energy transition, deep diving into issues from technology, geopolitics, AI and disinformation to social movements and climate negotiations.
Delivering on Renewables Targets Is the Key to Delivering on Energy Security
Pedro Vinagre, Europe CEO at EDP Renewables joins GWEC CEO Ben Backwell at WindEnergy Hamburg to discuss the current state of the energy sector and the critical need for investment in grid infrastructure. They discussed: - The shift from renewables to grid focus in energy investment - Europe's energy security and independence strategies - Impact of digital security and data sovereignty on energy - The role of storage and hybrid solutions in renewables - Market and policy challenges in renewa...
11 Sept 2026
How Wind Energy Can Win The Narrative
In this episode of Powering the Future, Ben sits down with Jamie Henn, founder and director of Fossil Free Media, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing the clean energy transition: how to turn broad public support into real political and cultural momentum. Jamie explains why climate concern is still strong, why clean energy needs better storytelling, and how grassroots advocates, creators, and local messengers can help shift the narrative. From Greta Thunberg’s impact to the rise of...
17 Aug 2026
Energy Security and Climate Change are wind energy's strongest arguments - with Morten Dyrholm
Everyone knows wind energy's climate credentials, but there's another pillar the industry can comfortably stand firm on: Energy Security. Morten Dyrholm, SVP at Vestas, chats to GWEC CEO Ben Backwell about how wind energy can go toe-to-toe with fossil fuels on reliability, not just cost. They discuss why the classic "climate first" pitch is evolving to something broader and just as urgent: energy security, independence, and systems that aren't reliant on volatile just-in-time supply ch...
23 Jul 2026
Is 'drill, baby, drill' the Kodak Moment of U.S. Energy Policy? Live with EDP's Antonio Coutinho
"In 1975, a Kodak engineer built the world’s first digital camera. The company patented it, studied it — and locked it in a drawer. Kodak’s business was film. Why cannibalize it? Forty years later, Kodak filed for bankruptcy. The world had moved on without them," explained Antonio Coutinho, CEO of EDP Innovation, in a recent blog, explaining, "I keep thinking about that drawer when I watch US energy policy today." At this year's Lisbon Future Dialogue, GWEC CEO Ben Backwell sat down with Ant...
9 Jul 2026
The Energy Transition is Moving Faster Than You Think, With Dave Jones from Ember
In this episode of Powering the Future, GWEC CEO Ben Backwell speaks with Dave Jones, co-founder of Ember, about how clean energy is evolving faster than most people realise. They dig into the rise of wind, solar, batteries, electrification, and “electrotech,” and why data, not just advocacy, is key to shaping policy and public understanding. From Europe’s coal phase-out to Asia’s rapid electrification and the shifting economics of oil, gas, and renewables, this conversation explores w...
25 Jun 2026
How to Deliver Renewable Energy Action with IRENA’s Gauri Singh
In this episode of Powering the Future, Ben Backwell sits down with Gauri Singh, Deputy Director General of IRENA, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to move the global energy transition from ambition to action. From Gauri's experience of India’s early solar mission to the realities of financing global renewables, grid integration, electrification, and energy security, Gauri shares a grounded view of where progress is happening, and more cricially, where the hard work st...
21 May 2026
How renewable energy can reverse system collapse, with Luke Kemp
In a world where systemic risks loom large, renewable energy emerges as a beacon of hope. Join us as we explore how shifting to sustainable energy sources can transform the very structures that threaten our future. Luke Kemp, renowned for his insights into global risks, reveals how renewable energy not only mitigates environmental threats but also empowers communities, decentralizes power, and fosters resilience against economic and political instability. Find out more about Luke's bo...
30 Apr 2026
India's Renewable Energy Surge: Leading the Global Clean Tech Movement
Ben Backwell sits down with Girish Tanti, co-founder and vice-chairman of Suzlon, to discuss his insights from a 30-year journey shaping India's wind industry, and building the global renewable energy sector. Girish discusses how a textile family's pioneering efforts in wind technology defied scepticism to push wind energy from niche to mainstream, slashing costs by 70% and scaling from kilowatt turbines to gigawatt farms. Hear the strategic moves that transformed Suzlon from a local ...
9 Apr 2026
'Climate Diplomacy is a key battleground' - Jennifer Morgan, former German Climate Envoy
Join us as we delve into the world of climate diplomacy with Jennifer Morgan, former German Climate Envoy, Executive Director at Greenpeace and a leading figure in recent international climate talks. Discover the strategies and challenges of building global consensus on climate action, from the Earth Summit to the Paris Agreement. Explore how public opinion, activism, and private sector engagement shape climate policy and the critical role of inclusivity in negotiations. This episode is...
26 Mar 2026
'It doesn't make sense to speak about security without speaking about energy' - Dan Jorgensen, EU Minister for Energy
This episode features a in-depth discussion with Dan Jorgensen, the EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, on Europe's energy challenges, the importance of long-term strategic decisions, and the role of renewable energy in shaping the future. Chatting with host Ben Backwell, the pod explores how geopolitical crises can create "the political momentum to make difficult decisions that are necessary for the future." In this episode: The impact of recent geopolitical conflicts on Europe's...
12 Mar 2026
"Renewables can transform lives and economies" - Selwin Hart, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action
In this in-depth interview, Selwin Hart, UN Special Advisor on Climate Change, shares his journey from diplomacy to climate action, discusses the global energy transition, and explores the challenges and opportunities in accelerating renewable energy deployment worldwide. Selwin Hart joins Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC and Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance for the latest episode of Wind. Powering The Future. The podcast that explores how wind energy will shape the world around us, and buil...
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