Michael Liebreich

Founder of BloombergNEF, Chairman of Liebreich Associates

BusinessEnergy & EnvironmentEntrepreneurESG – Environmental Social GovernanceWorld Affairs
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Michael Liebreich, Energy Industry Keynote Speaker

Book Michael Liebreich through The Keynote Curators, Energy Industry Division

Biography

Michael Liebreich is the founder of BloombergNEF (then New Energy Finance), the firm that effectively created the institutional research category for clean-energy economics. He sold the firm to Bloomberg in 2009 and now chairs Liebreich Associates, where he advises corporate boards, investor groups, and policy bodies on the economics of the energy transition. He hosts the Cleaning Up podcast, one of the most-listened-to senior conversations in the global energy transition community.

For utility leadership, energy investors, transition-finance audiences, and corporate sustainability teams, Michael brings a rare combination: a senior economist with deep institutional credibility, a working understanding of every part of the clean-energy stack, and a willingness to be honest about what the data actually says rather than what the advocacy slides claim. His annual New Energy Outlook briefings have shaped how the entire industry thinks about cost curves, deployment trajectories, and capital flows.

His current work focuses on three threads: the economics of green hydrogen (and where it actually makes sense), the realistic trajectory for grid storage and electrification, and the structural challenges facing the transition that most policy frameworks have not yet priced in. He is exceptional for utility-board offsites, energy-investor conferences, transition-finance summits, and any audience that wants substance over slogans.

Michael is direct, deeply prepared, and one of the most engaging analytical speakers in the industry. He customizes every keynote and is unusually willing to take live questions on the most contentious points in the transition debate.

Contact us for Michael Liebreich's fees and availability →
Speech Topics

What Michael Liebreich Speaks About

The Honest Economics of the Energy Transition
A senior economist's view of where the transition is actually moving, the cost-curve realities, the deployment math, and the structural challenges that most advocacy frameworks have not yet priced in.
Green Hydrogen, the Reality Check
Where green hydrogen actually makes economic sense, where it does not, and the strategic implications for industrial customers, utility planning, and capital allocation.
Grid Storage, Electrification, and the Next Decade
A realistic trajectory for storage, transmission, and demand-side electrification. Built for utility leadership and senior investor audiences.
Transition Strategy for Energy Boards
A direct, evidence-led briefing for senior boards on how to think about transition risk, opportunity, and the operational physics of getting from today's asset base to a credible 2040 position.
What event planners say

Testimonials

"By popular demand we invited Michael to present at our annual offsite (which brings together the c ’suit from our 12 IPPs representing a 10GW+ global portfolio), following on from a presentation he made three years prior. It did not disappoint, a great session with insightful views which both reflected on previous forecasts (which proved to be profoundly accurate) as well as evolving trends such as the hydrogen rush. Michaels holistic, pragmatic and analytical approach combined with his engaging speaking style, makes for a great thought provoking session every time!"
Liam Smith, Director, Actis
"Michael gave a fascinating and informative keynote presentation at our company-wide strategy session. As we focus more of our business on green energy and infrastructure, Michael was the perfect speaker to inspire the team, generate new ideas and expand our thinking around the energy transition. The session was very well received and we look forward to working with Michael and his team again."
DIF Capital Partners
"Michael gave a very engaging and thought-provoking presentation, which led to a vibrant discussion. The board and management team of Export Credit Norway really appreciated it. Just what we asked for!"
Ivar Slengesol, Director Strategy and Business Development, Export Credit Norway
"If you didn’t get the chance to listen to Michael’s speech when it started, I encourage you to look at it again. If you were here, have a look at it again. It’s one of the best speeches I have heard on this topic in a long long time."
Anthony Cox, Deputy Director, Environment Directorate, OECD
"Michael was the perfect choice to moderate our inaugural Sustainable Finance Forum. He kept all the interventions to the point, providing just the right amount of information-rich context, led a great panel on green finance and handled all the protocol around the launch of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration. I look forward to working with him again."
Thomas Hirschi, Executive Director, Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Market
Insights from Michael Liebreich
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"The energy transition is happening. The question is not whether, it is at what cost, on what timeline, and who pays. The firms that get those three answers right are the ones that come out the other side.", Michael Liebreich
"Most of what gets called green hydrogen in current policy frameworks does not survive the cost curves. The honest version of the story is going to be a much smaller and much more strategic technology than the advocacy decks promise.", Michael Liebreich
For meeting planners

Everything You Need to Know

  • Keynote 45 to 60 minutes, evidence-led, data-rich.
  • Fireside chat opposite your CEO or chief strategy officer.
  • Closed-door board briefing on transition risk and opportunity.
  • Virtual keynote, broadcast-grade studio.
  • Wireless lavalier preferred.
  • High-resolution main display. Michael's decks are visually dense.
  • For virtual events, his setup is broadcast-quality.
  • Pre-event scoping call with the event chair and a strategy sponsor.
  • Will tailor content to your firm's asset mix, geographic exposure, and specific transition questions on the agenda.
  • Available for separate executive briefing or board session in addition to the main keynote.
  • 4 to 6 months ideal.
  • Major energy and finance conference seasons book early. Lock dates as soon as you can.
Frequently asked questions

About Booking Michael Liebreich

What are Michael Liebreich's speaking fees?
Michael sits in our upper-tier fee range. Exact figures shared on enquiry. Check availability →
Is Michael good for skeptical audiences?
Yes, exceptional. He is one of the few senior transition voices who is data-honest about both the opportunities and the limits, and skeptical audiences respond well to him. Check availability →
Does Michael do virtual keynotes?
Yes. Studio-quality setup on his end. He is one of the strongest virtual speakers in the bureau. Check availability →
How far in advance should we book?
4 to 6 months ideal. He is in extreme demand around major energy and finance conferences. Check availability →
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