The ReVolting Podcast

Energy Shockwaves: Geopolitics, Security, and the Cost of Fragility

In this episode of The ReVolting Podcast, Úna Brosnan and John MaCaskill unpack the growing energy shock rippling through global markets — and why events unfolding thousands of miles away are now hitting households, businesses, and supply chains across Europe and beyond. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and renewed disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, the conversation explores how energy security has once again moved to the centre of political and economic debate. From fuel prices and fertilizer supply to food security, shipping routes, and household energy bills, the episode examines how deeply interconnected modern energy systems have become - and how exposed many countries remain to geopolitical instability. Reflecting on the lessons of the 2022 energy crisis, Úna and John discuss whether governments have genuinely strengthened resilience or simply replaced one dependency with another. The conversation explores the fragility of global supply chains, the risks created by market concentration and strategic bottlenecks, and why short-term crisis management often fails to deliver long-term structural change. The discussion also turns to the UK and Europe’s energy transition, examining the challenges of grid infrastructure, electrification, energy storage, and system flexibility. From rooftop solar and battery storage to offshore wind, nuclear, and diversified energy mixes, the episode asks what a more resilient energy system might realistically look like - and what it could cost. Beyond Europe, the conversation highlights the disproportionate impact of energy shocks on developing economies and island nations, where import dependence leaves communities especially vulnerable to volatility in global markets. A wide-ranging discussion on energy security, resilience, infrastructure, and the growing intersection between geopolitics and everyday life — and why the next phase of the energy transition may be defined as much by stability and sovereignty as by decarbonisation.

Offshore Wind at a Crossroads: Scaling, Sovereignty, and the Next Five Years

In this episode of The ReVolting Podcast, Úna Brosnan and John MaCaskill are joined in-studio by Jonathan Cole, a veteran of the offshore wind industry with over two decades of experience spanning global development, policy advocacy, and market-building. Together they take stock of an industry at an inflection point. From the remarkable rise of offshore wind into a cornerstone of energy systems, to the current headwinds of inflation, supply chain constraints, and policy friction, the conversation explores what’s really behind today’s turbulence - and what comes next. Jonathan reflects on the lessons learned from scaling offshore wind globally, arguing that while technology has advanced rapidly, policy and infrastructure have struggled to keep pace. The discussion dives into the structural challenges now facing the sector, including transmission bottlenecks, supply chain concentration, and the risks of over-ambitious targets without delivery frameworks to match. The episode also unpacks the growing role of geopolitics in shaping the energy transition. From shifting alliances and weakened multilateral institutions to the resurgence of energy sovereignty as a central driver, the conversation highlights why the transition is increasingly being framed not just as a climate imperative, but as an economic and security strategy. Closer to home, the discussion turns to the UK and Europe - exploring the strengths of established offshore wind markets, the implications of recent policy decisions, and the delicate balance between maintaining investor confidence and navigating national security concerns. A candid and wide-ranging conversation on realism versus ambition, the importance of infrastructure and policy alignment, and why the next phase of the energy transition may depend less on ideology - and more on execution.

Africa’s Energy Transition: Leapfrogging the Fossil Fuel Ladder

In this episode of The ReVolting Podcast, Úna Brosnan and John MaCaskill are joined by Dr Rebekah Shirley, Deputy Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation on how energy transitions are unfolding across the African continent. Together they explore whether Africa is quietly rewriting the rules of the energy transition. From bottom-up transport electrification to the rapid emergence of electric cooking solutions, the discussion challenges the long-held assumption that countries must climb a traditional “fossil fuel ladder” before reaching clean energy. Rebekah shares insights from her work across African energy systems, explaining why electrification is often happening first in fleets, buses, and two-wheelers rather than private cars, and how distributed energy solutions are reshaping access and affordability. The conversation also tackles the harder political economy questions surrounding oil and gas producing countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, and Mozambique, examining how energy transition pathways differ when national revenues are tied to hydrocarbons. A thought-provoking episode on leapfrogging, grid economics, and why energy transitions may look far less linear than traditional models suggest. Links * Rebekah Shirley website: https://rgshirley.com * WRI profile: https://www.wri.org/profile/rebekah-shirley * TED Talk - Rebekah Shirley: The clean energy hub of the future: https://www.ted.com/talks/rebekah_shirley_the_clean_energy_hub_of_the_future * Skindred band: https://youtu.be/DSFnygzsLnk?is=8QIxfKxkjfchGZZz  Reading List * Integrated energy in action: Practical learnings from integrating centralized and decentralized energy delivery models in Uganda - ScienceDirect - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004225025374#abs0020  * Managing grid impacts from increased electric vehicle adoption in African cities | Scientific Reports - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-75039-3 * Leapfrogging the darkness: contextualising the meaning of energy transitions for African countries - IOPscience - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2516-1083/ad31b7/meta * The evolving just transition: definitions, context, and practical insights for Africa - IOPscience - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2634-4505/ac9a69 * Charging Ahead: Managing Grid Impacts from Widespread EV Adoption in African Cities - Energy for Growth Hub - https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfCMqcqCsQbHvMLnMRlkBJCtDw * Electric transport offers Kenya a way out of its fuel crises - Business Daily - https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/opinion-analysis/columnists/electric-transport-offers-kenya-a-way-out-of-its-fuel-crises-3786420#google_vignette * Three Recommendations for Meaningful Africa-Europe Partnership on Energy Transitions - Energy for Growth Hub - https://energyforgrowth.org/article/three-recommendations-for-meaningful-africa-europe-partnership-on-energy-transitions/

Live On-Site: Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind Conference

Recorded in Glasgow during the Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind Conference, Úna Brosnan and John McCaskill reflect on two days of industry conversation, announcements, and shifting sentiment at a pivotal moment for offshore wind. They discuss the outcome of AR7, renewed confidence across the supply chain, and the policy and investment signals shaping the UK’s renewable energy trajectory. The conversation explores communication, investor certainty, Contracts for Difference evolution, and the importance of continuity as the sector looks toward AR8 and beyond. Widening the lens, they consider emerging market momentum, US political uncertainty, and Europe’s growing focus on energy security - highlighting how geopolitics is increasingly intertwined with the energy transition. A grounded, realistic reflection on progress, pressure, and cautious optimism at the start of 2026.

The ReVolting Bolt: AR7 Results, Floating Momentum, and What Comes Next

A rapid-response Bolt episode reacting to the AR7 results. John and Úna break down what the outcomes mean for floating wind, fixed-bottom projects, the supply chain, and UK PLC - focusing on delivery, realism, and what comes next.