Xavier Daval

What a pleasure and privilege to discuss the future of Energy in a London Pub with @JigarShahDC, the legend, GOAT of podcasting, brilliant entrepreneur and wonderful human being

My co-host @gerardreid14's latest blog on Germany which faces a simple choice: rebuild a system based on expensive imported fuels or move decisively toward cheap, abundant and locally produced electricity. Gas may stabilise the short term but it locks in long term vulnerability, while electrification, grids and flexibility offer a path to resilience and competitiveness. The issue is no longer technology, it is speed and the decision whether to remain a Petrostate or become an Electrostate?

Why and How Europe Must Make Electricity Cheap gerardreid.substack.com/p/wh…

The only silver lining in that energy crisis is the sudden disappearance of fossil fuel lobbyists from social networks. We hear less of: ⚡ 1. “Renewables are unreliable — the sun doesn’t always shine, the wind doesn’t always blow.” - Please talk to me about the Strait of Hormuz 🔋 2. “Renewables are too expensive — fossil fuels are the only affordable option.” - What about a barrel of oil above 100USD? 🌍 3. “We need fossil fuels for decades — the energy transition is unrealistic.” - Trust us. Trust is like Virginity, you can use it only once.

In 2024, Europe imported 23 per cent of its enriched uranium from Russia — equivalent to 2.5mn standard work units (SWU), the industry measure of enrichment.

Solar energy has experienced explosive growth over the past five years — doubling in capacity outside of China and quadrupling within China. But with this rapid expansion come new concerns: Are we scaling too quickly? And is the proliferation of solar now starting to strain power grids, creating more problems than solutions? Enter the concept of the “3 Cs” — Congestion, Curtailment, and Cannibalization — a term coined by Richard Sverisson at Montel. It captures the growing pains of an energy system being transformed at unprecedented speed. To unpack this, Gerard and I welcome one of the world’s leading voices in solar energy: Sam Wilkinson, Head of Renewables at S&P Global Commodity Insights @SPGCI . Sam leads a team of 20 global experts focused on analysing and forecasting trends across renewable energy markets, policy, and infrastructure. Their insights, developed in close collaboration with industry stakeholders, are critical for understanding where the solar market is heading. Notably, Sam and his team are forecasting a 100GW decline in new solar capacity in 2026 compared to 2025 — introducing the idea of "Peak Solar." In this conversation, we explore what “peak solar” really means: its causes, how it might unfold, and the ripple effects on the global supply chain. But it’s not all bad news. Market consolidation, geographic diversification, and ongoing innovation in solar technology are helping the industry navigate challenges. As costs continue to fall and accessibility improves, solar remains a cornerstone of the global energy transition. Expect a technical yet insightful discussion on the current headwinds — and future opportunities — in the solar energy sector.