From Google and Rio Tinto to ET Fuels Founder: Lara Naqushbandi

In this episode. Our host, Stuart Broadley, is joined by Lara Naqushbandi, Founder and CEO of ET Fuels, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of e-fuels and the growing opportunity to decarbonise some of the world's hardest-to-abate sectors.Drawing on her experience in senior leadership roles at Rio Tinto and Google, Lara reflects on the journey from global corporate executive to clean energy entrepreneur. She shares the rationale behind founding ET Fuels and explains why she believes synthetic fuels will become an essential part of the energy transition, particularly for shipping and aviation, where electrification remains challenging.The discussion explores the powerful market drivers behind e-fuels, including European maritime and aviation regulations, growing demand from global transport operators, and the increasing importance of energy security. Lara explains how compliance frameworks are creating clear commercial incentives for low-carbon fuels, why demand is expected to outstrip supply for years to come, and how long-term offtake agreements are helping unlock investment in new production capacity.Lara also provides a candid look at the realities of developing first-of-a-kind energy projects. From securing renewable feedstocks and navigating permitting processes to completing engineering studies and preparing for final investment decisions, she explains why successful projects are built on disciplined execution rather than regulatory speculation. The conversation examines ET Fuels' projects in Texas and the UK, and the milestones that could help bring commercial-scale e-methanol and sustainable aviation fuel production to market.At the heart of the discussion is a broader question facing the energy sector: how can industry, investors, and policymakers work together to accelerate the deployment of scalable low-carbon fuels? For Lara, the answer lies in consistent policy, robust project fundamentals, and the determination to keep building through uncertainty.What Is the EIC? The Energy Industries Council (EIC) is one of the world’s largest energy trade associations. As a not-for-profit organisation, it supports more than 950 member companies involved in the global energy value chain. EIC operates internationally, with offices in London, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Houston, Dubai, and soon, Berlin.It is energy agnostic, supporting all parts of the energy sector. From mature renewable onshore and offshore sectors like wind, solar and hydropower; to grid infrastructure and large nuclear; to hydrocarbon sectors like oil & gas, LNG, FPSO, decommissioning, upstream, midstream and downstream; to emerging low-carbon sectors like hydrogen, carbon capture, CCUS, energy storage, BESS, biofuels, SAF (sustainable aviation fuels), and geothermal.EIC provides a wide range of services, including access to global market intelligence, CAPEX and OPEX project data, consulting support, events, business development opportunities, and advocacy. It also facilitates connections with key decision-makers and policymakers in the energy sector worldwide.Stay Connected with EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the EIC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore EIC membership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the Five Golden Rules for a Healthy Energy Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn about EIC Consult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Stuart Broadley about doing your own C-level EIC podcast at [email protected], engineered, and promoted by: Samara Bernardo, Lucas Almeida, João Otero, Isabella Costa, Laura Carvalho, and Clara Machado.