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    Leaders Unplugged

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    What if Europe’s biggest risk isn’t war – but running out of power?

    3 hours ago • by David Bach, Felix Zeltner in Leaders Unplugged • Podcast availablePodcast available

    Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen bluntly talks about Europe’s energy, leadership courage, and why CEOs must step up in a volatile world....

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    What is Leaders Unplugged?

    Leaders Unplugged is real talk with the impactful. Candid, honest, actionable – and fresh from behind the scenes. Presented by IMD in collaboration with Remote Daily. Hosted by IMD’s president, David Bach.

    In this episode of Leaders Unplugged, IMD President David Bach sits down with Henrik Andersen, CEO of Vestas, for a raw conversation on Europe’s energy transition and the courage leaders need to navigate it.

     

    Andersen delivers a stark warning on Europe’s complacency: “Europe is 50% dependent on import of energy day in and day out. The truth is we import more LNG gas from Russia than we did in 2022.” He explains how China is building up its alternative energy capacities faster than any other nation – and dismantles hype around unproven solutions, such as hydrogen: “It is a little bit of a dream that is beyond a dream”.

    His purpose for being an outspoken leader is clear: “Our kids will say, ‘we will never forgive you because why did you keep talking about something that doesn’t happen?’” And he delivers a strong lesson to his peers: speak out, take blows, and act boldly in a volatile world.

    Expert

    Henrik Andersen

    Group President & CEO, Vestas

    Henrik Andersen leads Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine company. With decades of international executive experience, he is at the forefront of Europe’s energy transition, navigating geopolitics, policy, and technology on a global scale.

    Authors

    David Bach

    David Bach

    President of IMD and Nestlé Professor of Strategy and Political Economy

    David Bach is President of IMD and Nestlé Professor of Strategy and Political Economy. He assumed the Presidency of IMD on 1 September 2024. He is working to broaden and deepen IMD’s global impact through learning innovation, excellence in degree- and executive programs, and applied thought leadership. Recognized globally as an innovator in management education, Bach previously served as IMD’s Dean of Innovation and Programs.

    Felix Zeltner

    Felix Zeltner is a journalist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Remote Daily, a media company specialized in building live talk shows for organizations around the world. He hosts Wunderbar Together, the leading German-American podcast, and is the co-author of “Stadtnomaden” (2019) and “Hype” (2024). Zeltner holds a double-degree in journalism from Munich University LMU and German Journalism School, and has received several awards for his reporting (Arte, ARD, Der Spiegel). He lives in New York City with his family.

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