China Is Open For Business: Sabrina Cheng, IntelliS

China Is Open For Business: Sabrina Cheng, IntelliS

In this episode of Energy Focus, Stuart Broadley sits down with Sabrina Cheng, founder and CEO of IntelliS, to explore her journey from starting up her business in China, to creating an international business connecting global energy companies with China’s vast industrial supply chain. The conversation examines China’s growing role in global energy infrastructure, from offshore fabrication and EPC contracting to renewable energy, electrification, and AI-driven industrial growth. Sabrina shares insights into how Chinese supply chains support projects across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America—and why trust, cultural understanding, and local relationships remain fundamental to successful international business. Stuart and Sabrina also discuss the realities of doing business in China, the challenges foreign companies face entering the market, and the importance of local decision-making in a rapidly changing commercial environment. Alongside reflections on leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, the episode explores UK–China trade relations, the future of global energy investment, and China’s long-term strategic approach to economic transformation. What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com/Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://issuu.com/the-eic/docs/energy_focus_autumn_2025] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.the-eic.com/MarketIntelligence/EICConsult] Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.

The Power of Market Intelligence: 25 Years of EIC DataStream

In this episode Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Neil Golding, EIC’s Director of Market Intelligence, and Bob Gear, Head of Information Systems, for a fascinating look at the evolution of market intelligence and the story behind one of the energy industry’s most trusted data platforms: EIC DataStream. Marking twenty-five years since the launch of the original projects database, the conversation traces the journey from printed reports and manual data collection to today’s globally integrated market intelligence ecosystem covering more than 17,000 projects and 50,000 operational assets across the energy sector. Neil and Bob reflect on the early days of digitisation, the ambitious internal projects that shaped DataStream’s evolution, and the lessons learned from scaling a global data platform. From “Project Crossbow” and the infamous “God Plan” to the rise of APIs, agile development, and AI-assisted analytics, the episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on how technology, people, and persistence transformed EIC’s information services into a core strategic tool for the global energy supply chain. The discussion also explores the growing importance of accurate, forward-looking market intelligence in a volatile energy landscape. From tracking final investment decisions across oil, gas, renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture to supporting government policy and industry advocacy, Stuart, Neil, and Bob examine how data is shaping investment decisions, supply chain strategy, and the future direction of the energy transition. At the heart of the episode is a broader reflection on trust, innovation, and the role of high-quality intelligence in helping companies navigate one of the most complex industrial transformations in modern history. What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com/Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://issuu.com/the-eic/docs/energy_focus_autumn_2025] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.the-eic.com/MarketIntelligence/EICConsult] Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.

Secrets To Life Extension For Aging Offshore Energy Assets: Lloyd’s Register

In this episode. Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Anna Apostolopoulou, Chris Thornton, and Karen Cowie from Lloyd’s Register for an in-depth discussion on one of the energy industry’s most pressing operational challenges: extending the life of aging offshore assets. Focusing on floating production systems, offshore platforms, and critical topside infrastructure, the conversation explores how operators are balancing safety, reliability, cost discipline, and energy security in an increasingly uncertain market. Drawing on decades of engineering and operational experience, the panel explains how life extension decisions are made from structural fatigue analysis and digital twin modelling to maintenance optimization, remote inspections, and long-term investment planning. The discussion also examines the growing role of digital technologies, including robotics, remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and automation, as operators seek to reduce operational risk while maximizing asset value. At the same time, the episode highlights the very human side of life extension: workforce engagement, knowledge retention, leadership, and the challenge of preparing aging assets for a more digital future. At the heart of the conversation is a broader question facing the global energy sector: how can companies safely and responsibly adapt existing infrastructure to meet evolving operational, financial, and environmental demands while supporting the transition to future-ready energy systems? What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com/Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://issuu.com/the-eic/docs/energy_focus_autumn_2025] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.the-eic.com/MarketIntelligence/EICConsult] Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.

Clean Power At World’s 2nd Highest Tidal Range: Aidan Clegg, West Somerset Lagoon

In this episode. Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Aidan Clegg, CEO of the West Somerset Lagoon project, for an in-depth conversation on one of the UK’s most ambitious renewable energy proposals. At the heart of the discussion is the vision for a £11 billion tidal lagoon in the Bristol Channel designed to harness one of the world’s largest tidal ranges to generate predictable, zero-carbon electricity for up to two million homes. Drawing on his background in investment banking and project finance, Aidan explains why scale is essential to making tidal range energy commercially viable and how the project could reshape the UK’s approach to energy security, affordability, and industrial strategy. The conversation explores the realities of financing first-of-a-kind infrastructure, the role of the regulatory asset base model, and the challenge of securing government backing for emerging technologies. Aidan also discusses environmental considerations, supply chain opportunities, and the long-term economic impact the project could have on Somerset, South Wales, and the wider UK economy. Beyond power generation, the episode examines tidal energy’s unique advantage: predictability. From grid stability and storage integration to manufacturing opportunities and regional regeneration, Stuart and Aidan explore whether tidal lagoons could become a defining part of Britain’s future energy mix. What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com/Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://issuu.com/the-eic/docs/energy_focus_autumn_2025] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.the-eic.com/MarketIntelligence/EICConsult] Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.

Green Volt Floating Offshore Wind Farm: Matt Green, Flotation Energy

In this episode. Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Matt Green, Project Director for the Green Volt floating offshore wind project, for an in-depth discussion on what it takes to deliver the UK’s first commercial-scale floating wind farm. Green Volt is being developed by Flotation Energy [https://flotationenergy.com/] and Vårgrønn [https://www.vargronn.com/], a 560 MW floating windfarm off the East Coast of Scotland and is set to become the world’s largest commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm. Drawing on a career spanning offshore oil and gas, subsea infrastructure, offshore wind, and project finance, Matt reflects on the evolution of the industry—from early offshore engineering projects in the North Sea to helping establish Taiwan’s offshore wind market and now leading one of the UK’s most strategically significant renewable energy developments. The conversation explores the immense technical and financial complexity behind floating offshore wind, including turbine selection, port infrastructure, supply chain readiness, grid connectivity, and the challenge of securing final investment decision for a true first-of-a-kind project. Matt also shares insights into the growing debate around European versus Chinese turbine suppliers, balancing commercial realities with energy security, public policy, and long-term industrial strategy. At the heart of the discussion is Scotland’s opportunity to become a global leader in floating offshore wind. From repurposing oil and gas expertise to creating thousands of jobs across the supply chain, Matt explains why projects like Green Volt are about far more than renewable power generation—they are test cases for the future of industrial transition and large-scale clean energy deployment. What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin. It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal. EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide. Stay Connected with EIC * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [www.the-eic.com/Membership⁠⁠⁠⁠] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://issuu.com/the-eic/docs/energy_focus_autumn_2025] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.the-eic.com/MarketIntelligence/EICConsult] Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at Stuart.Broadley@the-eic.com Produced, engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.