In the second episode of the Energy Connects podcast series with Hexagon, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks with Joseph El Bitar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence in the Middle East and Africa. The discussion focuses on Hexagon’s smart digital reality and its flagship platform, SDX2, which merges real-time data, automation and AI-driven insights to improve efficiency, resilience and decision-making across industries. Joseph highlights how SDX2 can help organisations break down data silos, supports asset-intensive sectors and enable digital twin visualisation. Underscoring how the Middle East’s ambitious digital transformation goals are accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, Joseph outlines why Hexagon has positioned itself not just as a technology provider but as a long-term partner in building digital maturity in the region.
In the third episode of ourspecial podcast series, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with a team ofexperts from Siemens – John Nixon, Vice President of Global Strategy for EnergyChemicals and Infrastructure, Mike Houghton, Global Head of Sales, and ShivdeepGaagat, Industry Lead for Energy – to dive deep into a game-changingtechnology: physics-informed neural networks. They discuss how this powerfulnew tool can radically alter the way the industry approaches digitaltransformation. The team breaks down how the technology can improve everythingfrom predictive maintenance to grid reliability, the practical challenges ofintegrating them at scale, and why their optimal adoption can give companies amajor competitive edge.
In the first episode of a two-part podcast series, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Joseph El Bitar, Vice President and General Manager of Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence in Middle East and Africa, to discuss how enterprise asset management (EAM) can help reinvent urban governance in the Middle East and beyond. At a time when the region is experiencing one of the fastest urban transformations in the world, Joseph explains how organisations can manage this complexity intelligently, proactively and sustainably through the Living City concept. He also highlights how Hexagon’s EAM platform connects with assets across urban departments not just to collect data but to analyse it, automate tasks and recommends smart solutions.
In the second episode of our four-part podcast series with Siemens, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with John Nixon, Vice President of Global Strategy for Energy, Chemicals and Infrastructure and Mike Houghton, Global Head of Sales, both at Siemens Digital Industries Software, to unpack the secrets of how energy companies can maximise their returns on digital investment. John and Mike highlighted emerging digital technologies and data-driven solutions that can help Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) better understand the impact of a company’s financial pathway. They also explored the digital infrastructure that companies need to benefit from model-based financial optimisation, and addressed the skills and training component for CFOs and other stakeholders to start incorporating such optimisation in typical business plans and operations.
In this first episode of a four-part special podcast series with Siemens, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with John Nixon, Vice President for Global Strategy in Energy, Chemicals, and Infrastructure, and Mike Houghton, Global Head of Sales at Siemens Digital Industries Software, to discuss how incorporating digital twins into oil and gas operations can unlock unique efficiencies and also make the industry more sustainable. As the global energy infrastructure landscape faces up to the realities of ageing assets, decarbonisation and the urgent need for digitalisation, leaders across energy, chemicals, and urban systems are confronting a main challenge: how to make infrastructure more intelligent, adaptive, and resilient. John and Mike discuss how the fusion of digital twins, artificial intelligence, and industrial software is changing the way energy infrastructure is designed, operated, and optimised. They explore how digital twins are evolving into living models that replicate real-time conditions, enabling predictive maintenance, risk mitigation, and system-wide efficiency at unprecedented levels. They also highlight how at Siemens, these capabilities are no longer experimental, but an essential part of their portfolio as industrial operators seek to future-proof assets against climate disruption, resource constraints, and operational efficiency.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Claudio Golino, Partner at Deloitte, to discuss the critical role of utilities in decarbonisation and shaping the energy transition. Claudio explained how electricity is becoming an increasingly major part of the energy mix, and the key forces of change shaping the energy value chain: decentralisation, democratisation and digitisation. He also discussed Deloitte’s perspective on how the energy transition is evolving across the different parts of the power value chain, the dynamics of rising power demand and its influence on the strategies of utilities, and the way forward for energy companies to navigate this complex and fast-evolving landscape.
As the energy sector accelerates towards a digitally driven, low-carbon future, the path forward is anything but simple. In this episode of the Energy Connects Podcast and as we prepare for the World Utilities Congress 2025, we revisit a standout conversation from the Energy Connects Studio with Oxana Dankova, Global Energy Network Lead at BCG. Oxana discusses the real-world challenges of transitioning to a renewable-powered energy system - from the volatility of solar and wind to the pressure of balancing supply and demand in real time.
She emphasises the critical role of AI and advanced data analytics in managing modern power grids, enabling predictive infrastructure planning and simulating countless scenarios to avoid costly missteps. Oxana also highlights the potential of decentralised energy systems - particularly at the distribution grid level - to boost resilience and efficiency, especially in developing regions. Drawing on global case studies such as South Australia’s rooftop solar boom and evolving EV strategies across Europe and the US, she outlines what a more flexible, responsive utility model could look like - and the barriers that still remain.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to explore the pathway to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. That was the target committed to by world leaders at COP28 in Dubai, a historic agreement that was in line with recommendations by IRENA on how to close the energy transition gap and stay on a 1.5°C pathway.
Singh discusses the progress made on that journey and outlines actions for the global energy community to ensure we are on track with this target. She also highlights how consistently decreasing cost of renewables is helping speed up their deployment across the industry, and why the World Utilities Congress in May will help propel the industry towards a sustainable future.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast ahead of Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Joe Raia, Chief Commercial Officer at Abaxx Exchange, to discuss the role of LNG as a fuel for change, and how that is altering global trading markets. Joe highlighted the critical role of LNG as an essential enabler of the energy transition, and spoke about how natural gas as an energy base load has helped expand the international trade of LNG.
He also expanded on the key takeaways from Japan’s new draft Strategic Energy Plan, and his thoughts on the upcoming Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025 in June.
In this episode of the Energy Connects podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Mandeep Narang, Director of Operations at Cairn Oil and Gas Vedanta Limited, about the critical role of sustainability in the hydrocarbon industry and how organisations can balance energy production with environmental responsibility.
As the first private organisation to sign onto the United Nations Environment Programme’s Methane Reporting and Reduction Initiative, Cairn is setting a new standard for responsible energy practices. The episode explores the strategies, innovations, and commitments that are shaping the company’s approach to reducing its hydrocarbon footprint while ensuring long-term sustainability.
In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy and columnist for Energy Connects, to discuss the new US energy agenda and how it could reshape and impact the global energy community.
Delving into the Trump Administration’s first clutch of decisions about the energy sector – such as expanding drilling and resuming export permits for new LNG projects, Robin also talks about the implications of the US Energy Emergency and the outlook for shale. He also discusses the way forward to make grids more reliable, and the role of low-carbon solutions in our energy future.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of the 24th World LNG Summit and Awards, host Nour Eltigani sits down with Xi (Lucy) Liu, General Manager of Dongguan Daosen Natural Gas and Miaoru Huang, Director of Asia Pacific Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie, to delve into the rapidly evolving natural gas market in China, a nation balancing ambitious renewable energy targets with its push for carbon neutrality.
Liu offers a closer look at Guangdong province, a trailblazer in China’s energy transformation. She highlights that the province has always been ambitious in integrating renewable sources like solar and wind. Natural gas complements these efforts, acting as a bridge fuel that fills the gaps when renewables fall short. Meanwhile, Huang explores the evolving dynamics of China’s gas markets. She elaborates on how pipeline imports are playing a pivotal role in stabilising energy supply during the nation’s renewable energy transition. She explains how pipeline imports act as a critical foundation for China’s energy infrastructure.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta spoke to Leila Hoteit, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), to discuss why insufficient talent and upskilling risks could slow down the journey to a lower-carbon future. Highlighting the pivotal role of education and climate literacy in reskilling the energy industry for a greener global economy, Leila talks about what education systems need to do to cater to the demands of the energy transition. She also talks about changes at the institutional level across the region in adapting the educational curriculum for a net-zero future with a focus on sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of the World Utilities Congress 2024, host Nour Eltigani sits down with His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council, to discuss the Council's efforts in addressing the pressing challenge of water scarcity in the Arab region.
Dr. Abu-Zeid also highlighted the Council's pivotal role in promoting sustainable water management through key initiatives aimed at improving water efficiency and quality. He emphasised the barriers posed by climate change, noting that Arab countries are actively working to mitigate its impacts on water resources. Additionally, Dr. Abu-Zeid also shed light on innovative technologies and research projects that are making strides in enhancing water management practices across the region.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects Podcast, host Chiranjib Sengupta sits down with Dr. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, to delve into the significant opportunities nuclear energy presents for decarbonising the industry.
During this extensive conversation, they cover a range of topics including the World Nuclear Association's Net Zero Nuclear initiative, which was launched at COP28 with the goal to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.
They discuss how the nuclear industry is addressing its clean-energy perception, noting its position as the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity worldwide. The discussion also highlights nuclear energy’s pivotal role in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to abate, like metallurgy, petrochemicals, and the oil & gas industry.
Additionally, they explore the anticipated demand for nuclear energy in the coming years amid its global resurgence, the industry’s approach to overcoming regulatory and financing challenges, and Dr. Sama's insights on cultivating future leaders in the global nuclear field as the President of the World Nuclear University.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta hosts Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President of Gas and LNG Research at Wood Mackenzie, and Eugene Kim, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie's Americas Gas Research team, to dive deep into the debate over whether data centres and AI could shake up the global LNG market.
Outlining the evolution of the US shale gas market, Massimo and Eugene provide valuable insight into how that will define the competitiveness of the US LNG sector, and the long-term outlook on LNG markets and contracts developing globally. With digitalisation and AI seen as essential enablers of the energy transition, they also discuss why upscaling both will lead to a massive surge in power demand, and how the energy sector is likely to cope with it.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Grant Dougans, Partner and Lead of Energy and Natural Resources at Bain & Company, to discuss whether confidence in the world’s ability to achieve net zero by 2050 is eroding. Grant explains why an increasing number of global energy executives feel that net zero by 2060 is a more accurate reflection of the current realities of the energy transition, as published in Bain’s annual Energy & Natural Resource Executive Survey. He touches on the recognition by the industry of the scale of infrastructure needed for the energy transition to succeed, the shift in capital spending patterns for long-term projects, and why ROI is emerging as a stumbling block for investments in clean energy. They also talk about energy transition being all about project economics, how policy certainty is critical for all stakeholders to pick up pace on the transition, and why energy efficiency matters in the global landscape for green energy investments.
In the next episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Editor-in-Chief Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Ben Cahill, Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), for a broad discussion on the latest advances in the global LNG landscape, energy security and curbing emissions.
Ben explains why the current US LNG pause could matter globally in the post-2030 capacity dynamics, the immediate ripple effects of the decision, and how the LNG sector and the energy industry in general is pursuing the pathway to a lower-carbon future. He also touches on the impact of clean energy initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter on the industry.
In the latest episode of the Energy Connects podcast, Chiranjib Sengupta speaks to Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy and founder of Access for Women in Energy, ahead of International Women’s Day to discuss why increasing female representation across the industry is an urgent necessity.
Outlining how the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals prompted more inclusivity in the industry, Dr Carole calls for more women’s participation, specially at the leadership and executive levels, and greater commitments from the corporate sector to make their workforce truly diverse and ready for the future. She also unpacks the details on how a just energy transition is a great opportunity to support the professional development of women in the industry, globally.
In the latest episode of the Energy Connects Podcast ahead of India Energy Week 2024, Chiranjib Sengupta catches up with Vandana Hari, the founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, on why India remains a bright spot for the energy industry and the opportunities for companies to invest in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
Vandana elaborates on the outlook for the Indian and global energy market against an extraordinary environment this year, the policies and collaboration needed to bolster India’s upstream sector, and what she is looking forward to at India Energy Week in Goa this February.
