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CORRECTED-Prices down in Germany, up in France which keeps discount

Wholesale prompt power prices fell dramatically in Germany on Wednesday on more supply however more powerful demand drove prices higher in France, narrowing a discount to Germany, which stays in place.

The area market saw some big cost divergence on Tuesday afternoon after technical issues at the Paris-based spot exchange Epex Spot delayed the publication of rates.

German day-ahead baseload was down 39.6% at 96 euros ($ 102.63) per megawatt hour (MWh) at 0750 GMT.

French day-ahead baseload power jumped 37.5% to trade at 71.5 euros/MWh.

France's discount rate originates from an oversupply of nuclear and hydropower, with restricted cross-border transit capacity.

LSEG data revealed demand increases throughout the region, triggered by the arrival of hot weather, which boosts making use of ac system.

Wind power supply in Germany, however, was due to get 200 MW to come in at 6.7 gigawatts (GW) and rise by 1 GW in France to 2.2 GW on Thursday. LSEG likewise kept in mind increased coal and gas burning capability schedule.

French nuclear capability ran unchanged at 70% of the set up maximum.

On the demand side, LSEG forecasts pegged German usage at 55.7 GW, up 200 MW, which in France at 44.5 GW, up 600 MW, on Thursday, with temperatures in a broad 23-24 degree Celsius variety.

German year-ahead power was untraded after closing at 91.35 euros/MWh and the comparable French 2025 contract likewise did not change hands, having settled at 69 euros.

European CO2 allowances for December 2024 were up 1.1% at 68.65 euros a metric ton.

The U.S. Nasdaq exchange has cancelled strategies to transfer its Nordic power trading and cleaning company to the European Energy Exchange (EEX), both stated in different statements on Wednesday.

VDKI, a German importers group of tough coal, stated present annual import levels were 33 million tonnes, of which 18 million were for power generation, the rest for heating and steelmaking.

(source: Reuters)