Wolfe Power Club Podcast

What does a €100 million investment tell us about the future of energy in Ukraine?
In this episode of the Wolfe Power Club, our host Alex Wolfe sits down with DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko following the signing of a landmark partnership between DTEK and Octopus Energy during London Climate Action Week.
The conversation explores why Ukraine has become one of the world's most important proving grounds for energy resilience, how distributed solar and battery storage are strengthening the country's energy system and why innovation is happening at a pace rarely seen elsewhere in Europe.
The episode also features Philip Steele, Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy, who shares his insights on Octopus' Kraken platform, microgrids, heat pumps, flexible tariffs and the technologies shaping the next phase of the energy transition.
GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate our 100th episode, we're giving away a 45-47 MAGA hat! To enter, please:
• Leave a comment on any of our social platforms, telling us what your favourite episode or moment from our back catalogue is.
Please see links to our socials at the bottom of the description. We will inform you if you have won. Good luck!
BIOGRAPHIES
Maxim Timchenko is the CEO of DTEK Group, having led the company since its foundation in 2005. DTEK has grown to become Ukraine’s largest private energy group, with a presence in eight European countries. Since the invasion in 2022, Timchenko has directed the rebuilding of destroyed energy infrastructure and fast-tracked new, more resilient energy assets in pursuit of greater energy security. DTEK has spent over €15 billion on repairs and investments to become the country’s biggest wartime investor.
Philip Steele is the Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy. He leads an international R&D team dedicated to inventing, testing, and launching disruptive energy innovations. His work focuses on shifting to a greener grid through smart home tech, dynamic time-of-use tariffs, and whole-home electrification.
ABOUT THE HOST
Host Alex Wolfe has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including previously serving as Commercial Director at Certas Energy and Director of the South, with responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs. In addition, he has led M&A activity, ran Hollies Truck Stop, and was a Director of the 5th largest fuel company in the UK. Currently, Alex not only hosts the Wolfe Power Club Podcast but also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit. 
Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator
Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase
If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or emilia@wolfepowerclub.com

Follow Our Socials
Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club
 
Wolfe Power Club Production Team
Founder and Host: Alex Wolfe
Director of Government Relations: Max Austin
Designer: Nick Pelekanos
Editor: Adam Woodward
Social Media Manager: Bella Carter
 
Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast

Recorded live at the Energy Institute Young Professionals’ Regeneration event at Hackney Town Hall, this episode captures a single keynote-style panel in which young energy professionals debate one central question: has the public been sold an unrealistically painless version of the energy transition?
Across policy, law, engineering, analysis and start-ups, speakers take turns building and challenging arguments on net zero, energy security and rising consumer bills, while responding to audience interventions and moments from the room as the discussion unfolds.
In this week’s episode, they explore whether the transition is being misrepresented, where the costs are really falling and how the trade-offs between affordability, industry and decarbonisation are being communicated.
Speakers include:
Connor Innes - Chair, Young Energy Professionals Forum
Martin Okorowu - International Student, University of East London (Proposition)
Karim Arnous - Founder, Neura Energy (Proposition)
Emily Wadsworth - Senior Policy Officer, Energy Networks Association (Opposition)
Daniel Chocontá Bernal - Project Manager, Energy & Power at Jacobs (Opposition)
GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate our 100th episode, we're giving away a 45-47 MAGA hat! To enter, please:
• Leave a comment on any of our social platforms, telling us what your favourite episode or moment from our back catalogue is.
Please see links to our socials at the bottom of the description. We will inform you if you have won. Good luck!
ABOUT THE HOST
Host Alex Wolfe has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including previously serving as Commercial Director at Certas Energy and Director of the South, with responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs. In addition, he has led M&A activity, ran Hollies Truck Stop, and was a Director of the 5th largest fuel company in the UK. Currently, Alex not only hosts the Wolfe Power Club Podcast but also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit. 
Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator
Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase
If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or emilia@wolfepowerclub.com

Follow Our Socials
Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club
 
Wolfe Power Club Production Team
Founder and Host: Alex Wolfe
Director of Government Relations: Max Austin
Designer: Nick Pelekanos
Editor: Adam Woodward
Social Media Manager: Bella Carter
 
Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast

We're delighted to mark our 100th episode with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who joins us at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Forum in Washington for a conversation on energy dominance and the future of global energy.
Few policymakers have shaped America's energy story from both the boardroom and government. Before joining the Cabinet, Chris spent more than three decades building companies across shale, natural gas, geothermal and nuclear energy.
Chris explains why the Trump administration is pursuing an agenda of energy abundance, America's rise as the world's leading LNG exporter and why reliable, affordable energy remains central to economic growth and national security.
Chris sits down with our host, Alex Wolfe, to discuss the future of oil and gas, next-generation nuclear, developments in the Middle East, investment in US energy infrastructure and the policies shaping global energy markets. The episode also features reflections from former UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry on Europe's energy resilience, the future of the North Sea and opportunities for deeper US-UK energy co-operation.
GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate our 100th episode, we're giving away a 45-47 MAGA hat! To enter, please:
• Leave a comment on any of our social platforms, telling us what your favourite episode or moment from our back catalogue is.
Please see links to our socials at the bottom of the description. We will inform you if you have won. Good luck!
BIOGRAPHIES
Chris Wright is an American businessman, engineer and politician who serves as the 17th United States Secretary of Energy in the second administration of President Donald Trump. Appointed and confirmed in February 2025, he is a prominent figure in national energy policy due to his background as a fossil-fuel executive and his outspoken skepticism toward mainstream climate-change narratives.
Charles Hendry was Minister of State for Energy from 2010-12. He was previously the Conservative Party’s spokesman on energy issues, from 2005-2010, holding the portfolio for longer than any other spokesman. On leaving Ministerial office, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed him as his Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, a role he continued until leaving Parliament in 2015. He was awarded the CBE in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours for his work in supporting British Trade in Russia and Central Asia.
ABOUT THE HOST
Host Alex Wolfe has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including previously serving as Commercial Director at Certas Energy and Director of the South, with responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs. In addition, he has led M&A activity, ran Hollies Truck Stop, and was a Director of the 5th largest fuel company in the UK. Currently, Alex not only hosts the Wolfe Power Club Podcast but also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit. 
Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator
Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase
If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or emilia@wolfepowerclub.com

Follow Our Socials
Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club
 
Wolfe Power Club Production Team
Founder and Host: Alex Wolfe
Director of Government Relations: Max Austin
Designer: Nick Pelekanos
Editor: Adam Woodward
Social Media Manager: Bella Carter
 
Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast

In this episode of the Wolfe Power Club, Monica Collings OBE, Chair of POWERful Women, joins us to discuss the 2026 State of the Nation Report and what it reveals about leadership in the UK energy sector.
We explore the "glacial-freeze" on why progress towards 40% female representation in senior leadership has stagnated, with 13 major energy boards still having no women and the pipeline to executive roles remaining stuck at 34%. Monica shares her perspective on what's holding the industry back, why it matters for business performance and what leaders need to do next.
We review the 5-point action plan and add 3 further areas related to brand, money and families.
Read the POWERful Women State of the Nation Report 2026 here: https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/annual-state-of-the-nation/reportscreens/2026/PfW_2026_report.pdf
POWERful Women website: https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/
BIOGRAPHY
Monica Collings OBE is an award-winning influential leader. She was formerly Chief Executive at So Energy and was at the time, the only female leading a domestic energy supplier. She now has a portfolio Non-Executive Director spanning energy and utilities, environmental and risk management services and is currently the Chair of POWERful Women.
ABOUT THE HOST
Host Alex Wolfe has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including previously serving as Commercial Director at Certas Energy and Director of the South, with responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs. In addition, he has led M&A activity, ran Hollies Truck Stop, and was a Director of the 5th largest fuel company in the UK. Currently, Alex not only hosts the Wolfe Power Club Podcast but also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit. 
Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator
Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase
If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or emilia@wolfepowerclub.com

Follow Our Socials
Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club
 
Wolfe Power Club Production Team
Founder and Host: Alex Wolfe
Director of Government Relations: Max Austin
Designer: Nick Pelekanos
Editor: Adam Woodward
Social Media Manager: Bella Carter
 
Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast

Kherson has become one of the defining symbols of civilian resilience during the war in Ukraine, with residents continuing daily life despite constant shelling, drone attacks and repeated strikes on energy infrastructure.
Alex Wolfe is joined by Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, Deputy Head of Kherson Region, live from Ukraine alongside Dan Whitehead from Medical Life Lines Ukraine, the UK charity that has delivered more than 130 ambulances and emergency vehicles to frontline communities since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
They discuss the reality of life inside Kherson today, the destruction of hospitals and power systems, sanctions loopholes, energy security and the challenge of maintaining international support as the war continues. The episode also explores reconstruction, civilian resilience and why energy remains central to both Ukraine’s future and wider European security.
Special thanks to Viktoriia Maryshchuk for translation support during this episode.

Read and donate to Medical Life Lines Ukraine here: https://www.medicallifelines.org.uk/

BIOGRAPHY
Oleksandr Tolokonnikov is a Ukrainian journalist, photojournalist and government official from Kherson who became internationally known as a spokesperson for the Kherson Regional Military Administration during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A prominent public voice from frontline Kherson, he has documented Russian attacks and humanitarian conditions through media appearances, interviews and photography. In 2025, he was appointed Deputy Head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, overseeing digital development, information policy and international cooperation.
Medical Life Lines Ukraine is a Wimbledon-based NGO that has delivered more than 130 ambulances and emergency response vehicles filled with humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. One of Ukraine’s leading international medical aid partners, the organisation has become a major supplier of ambulances and emergency equipment to the country’s Ministry of Health. Daniel Whitehead has been part of the team since 2022, helping drive aid convoys to Ukraine while building UK-Ukraine partnerships, fundraising efforts and volunteer networks alongside his full-time work as a lawyer in London.
ABOUT THE HOST
Host Alex Wolfe has over 20 years of experience in the energy industry, including previously serving as Commercial Director at Certas Energy and Director of the South, with responsibility for 900 fuel HGVs. In addition, he has led M&A activity, ran Hollies Truck Stop, and was a Director of the 5th largest fuel company in the UK. Currently, Alex not only hosts the Wolfe Power Club Podcast but also chairs The Spectator Energy Summit. 
Season Two is in Partnership with The Spectator
Tickets for the upcoming The Spectator Energy Summit, on Monday 30th November 2026, are available on sale. Use code: WPC50 for 50% off your purchase
If you would like to partner with The Spectator Energy Summit, please contact Alex on LinkedIn or emilia@wolfepowerclub.com

Follow Our Socials
Website: https://www.wolfepowerclub.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WolfePowerClub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfe-power-club/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfepowerclub/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wolfe.power.club
 
Wolfe Power Club Production Team
Founder and Host: Alex Wolfe
Director of Government Relations: Max Austin
Designer: Nick Pelekanos
Editor: Adam Woodward
Social Media Manager: Bella Carter
 
Recorded at Studio 55 - which has produced podcasts Breaking the Taboo with Theo Clarke and The ABTO Podcast