EP. 277 Michael Lewis on Delivering the Transition at System Scale

As part of a special live edition of Energy Unplugged, recorded from the podcast booth at E-World in Essen, Hanns Koenig, Managing Directore EMEA for Aurora Energy Research, sits down with Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, to discuss the realities of leading a major European energy company at the heart of the transition. 

Drawing on three decades in the sector - from building E.ON’s offshore wind business to steering Uniper through recovery after the gas crisis - Michael reflects on what it really takes to deliver the energy transition: cost discipline, system thinking, and a relentless focus on security of supply. 

The conversation spans Germany’s progress on renewables, the case for new hydrogen-ready gas capacity, the role of batteries and demand-side flexibility, gas market resilience post-Russia, and the growing impact of data centres and electrification on future power demand. Throughout, one theme stands out: the transition cannot be delivered in silos - it must be approached as a fully integrated system. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Why flexibility is shifting from generators to customers in a renewables-led system 

• How Germany is balancing coal phase-out with new hydrogen-ready gas plants 

• What true gas security looks like after the Russia shock - and why diversification matters 
• How AI, data centres and electrification could reshape Europe’s electricity demand curve 
  

Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged.

Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.