This week the UK braced itself for elections in Scotland and Wales, which are both set to be held on 7 May, and Energy Voice reported about public funding running out at the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).

Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, north west correspondent Floyd March, and news reporter editor Mat Perry discuss the runners and riders in the elections while news editor Erikka Askeland jumps in at the end of the show to talk us through all things NZTC.

Up first, Mat talks about the energy related manifesto promises from all the major parties in Scotland as Ryan asks why oil and gas is such a big debate in an election for a government with no power over it.

Next, Floyd gets us caught up with the Welsh election where Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are neck and neck. The creation of a Crown Estate Wales, the role of nuclear energy in the country and where onshore renewables should be located are all hot topics ahead of people casting their ballots.

Finally, Erikka reveals that NZTC has let go of around half of its workforce as its £180 million over ten years deal with the government came to an end. So what's next for the organisation? Research appears to be on the cards as it said goodbye (for now) it its Tech X incubator programme. But, the main question to be asked at the end of this discussion is whether this is a case of 'what have the NZTC ever done for us?' or is Myrtle a 'a verry bad boy'?

In this week's episode, news editor Erikka Askeland and E-FWD editor Ed Reed examine energy secretary Ed Miliband's push to delink UK electricity prices from volatile wholesale gas markets.

Then, Erikka sits down with DC Thomson's Katy Tallon to discuss sustainability in the energy sector, exploring how the industry is navigating the pressures of net zero commitments alongside the realities of day-to-day operations.

And reporter Mathew Perry reports on the takeover interest surrounding North Sea operator Deltic Energy and what it might signal about dealmaking appetite in the basin.

Job losses, electrification and jobs saved - it's never a dull moment for the crack Energy Voice Out Loud team.

Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, renewables correspondent Michal Behr and E-FWD editor Ed Reed put their heads together to chew over the week's big stories.

Electrification was once seen as the way forward for North Sea projects but companies are cooling on the concept. While it may reduce emissions, the bill for the work seems too high.

The oil and gas sector has been a political football for sometime and, with Scottish election season in full swing, this week was no different. Planned job losses from Spirit Energy were seized on as prime fodder by politicos, even though - for once - there seems to be little direct link to the government's energy policies.

And finally, in some good news for Aberdeen, Petrofac's asset solutions has been sold to CB&I. The new owner has had its fair share of corporate changes but can see the opportunity of engaging with the storied Aberdeen powerhouse.

Job losses, electrification and jobs saved - it's never a dull moment for the crack Energy Voice Out Loud team.

Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, renewables correspondent Michal Behr and E-FWD editor Ed Reed put their heads together to chew over the week's big stories.

Electrification was once seen as the way forward for North Sea projects but companies are cooling on the concept. While it may reduce emissions, the bill for the work seems too high.

The oil and gas sector has been a political football for sometime and, with Scottish election season in full swing, this week was no different. Planned job losses from Spirit Energy were seized on as prime fodder by politicos, even though - for once - there seems to be little direct link to the government's energy policies.

And finally, in some good news for Aberdeen, Petrofac's asset solutions has been sold to CB&I. The new owner has had its fair share of corporate changes but can see the opportunity of engaging with the storied Aberdeen powerhouse.

This week the market reacted to news of a ceasefire in the Middle East as the price of oil dropped over night, highlighting the difference between physical barrels and paper ones.

Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, north west correspondent Floyd March, and E-FWD editor Ed Reed discuss and the growing role of solar in the UK's energy mix while news reporter Mat Perry catches up with Black & Veatch.

Up first, Ed discusses the ceasefire and questions if it is what it first appeared to be, with no ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz. He highlights that even if shipping returns, the oil and gas market will have to come to terms with a new normality as it is highly unlikely that conditions will return to those experience before the war broke out earlier his year.

Next, Mat spoke with Rafael Frias, Black & Veatch managing director for EMEA, about the rapidly expanding UK battery storage sector, and what progress is being made on overcoming longstanding issues with the grid.

Finally, Floyd speaks about the government's approval of the massive Springwell solar farm. The 3,100 acre site is set to produce 800MW of electricity, but some locals have raised concern about the transformation of Lincolnshire's countryside. This news also came as over £80 million was invested in ITM Power's electrolyser facility in Yorkshire as the firm gears up to deliver on orders made by Hydrogen Allocation Round winners. This move stands to create 250 jobs in the region.

This week, hydrocarbons remained the top of the global news agenda as the UK waited for its last supply of jet fuel from the Middle East. At the same time, the North Sea saw yet another operator vacate the basin by divesting its assets into a joint venture.

Host and Aberdeen features lead, Ryan Duff, north west correspondent Floyd March, and E-FWD editor Ed Reed discuss.

Up first, Ed rounds out a week of appearing on national radio shows to get us caught up the war in the Middle East and how nations across the globe are reacting to fuel shortages in the wake of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Next, news editor Erikka Askeland visited the St Fergus gas terminal to chat to North Sea Midstream Partners chief executive Angela Fletcher about the importance of gas in the UK's energy during a time of geopolitical uncertainty. And, of course, the pair had to discuss the future of the Acorn carbon capture storage project, which partner Storegga still hasn't found a buyer for.

Finally, Ryan discusses mergers and acquisitions after Viaro called time on its takeover of Deltic and TotalEnergies completed its buy-in to Neo Next+. This happened while Floyd March observed the unfortunate truth about M&A, it often results in job losses. He explained how another swathe of roles had been cut at the Lindsey refinery this week as Philips 66 edges closer to completing its purchase of the facility.

This week’s edition of Energy Voice Out Loud reflects on a busy news week for the UK energy sector.

Host and Energy Voice news editor Erikka Askeland and renewables reporter Michael Behr discuss the announcement that Danish wind turbine maker Vestas is in, and Chinese manufacturer Ming Yang is out. Some are relieved that the UK has backed the European wind sector but not all are pleased, including Scotland where Ming Yang was looking to build a factory creating 1,500 jobs.

Aberdeen features lead Ryan Duff is at the Offshore Energies UK much anticipated business outlook breakfast event to speak to Ben Ward, market intelligence manager. OEUK wants the UK to cut LNG imports and use North Sea gas instead, but will the NSTA help?

As the FSPO Petrojarl Rosebank makes its passage to the UK, Energy Voice reporter Mathew Perry explains why Greenpeace wants to paint its protest on the vessel’s hull and how the debate about whether the UK should or shouldn’t go ahead with the UK’s largest undeveloped oil field is now at the heart of Westminster.

As the US-Isreal war with Iran rages on, Donald Trump has threatened to "massively blow up" the South Pars gas filed on a scale "of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before". This came as Ithaca provided an update on its West of Shetland assets.

In this week's episode of Energy Voice Out Loud, Ryan Duff is joined by Michael Behr, Floyd March and Erikka Askeland as they discuss this week's biggest headlines.

Up first, Michael gets us caught up on the situation in the Middle East as Erikka draws attention to Trump's latest social media tirade. As the situation continues to escalate, the US president appears to be threatening yet more violence.

Next, Erikka discusses the West of Shetland after Ithaca announced it will make a financial decision on its Cambo field within the next 12 months. This sparked a wider conversation about UK hydrocarbon production and the importance of the West of Shetland region as well as the future of the Northern Gas Hub.

Finally, Floyd tells us about the Rehip event in Teesside. He hosted a panel at the conference and came on the show to tell all about hydrogen's optimistic outlook for pipeline, but also the ever-looming question of end use cases for the fuel source. Ultimately, positivity was in the air in Teesside, although it's fair to say that some questions remain unanswered when it comes to the deployment of hydrogen.