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Prices of several European electricity markets fell although levels remain high

AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, October 18, 2021. During the second week of October, prices of several European markets fell compared to those of the previous week, favoured by the decrease in gas and CO2 prices and the increase in wind energy production in some markets during this period. Even so, price levels in electricity markets continue to be high, with weekly averages exceeding €150/MWh in almost all cases and €245/MWh in the case of the United Kingdom.

Photovoltaic and solar thermal energy production and wind energy production

The solar energy production increased by 24% in the Italian market during the week of October 11 compared to the production of the previous week, and 8.0% in the French market. However, in the Iberian and German markets, the production was 12% and 22% lower, respectively.

For the week of October 18 to 24, the AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s solar energy production forecasting indicates that it will decrease in the Italian market, while a slight recovery is expected in the German and Spanish markets.

AleaSoft - Solar photovoltaic thermosolar energy production electricity EuropeSource: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from ENTSO-E, RTE, REN, REE and TERNA.
AleaSoft - Solar photovoltaic production profile EuropeSource: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from ENTSO-E, RTE, REN, REE and TERNA.

The wind energy production grew 46% in the German market during the second week of October compared to the production registered during the first week of the month, while in the Italian market the increase was 31%. On the contrary, in the French market the production fell by 55% and in the Iberian Peninsula by 22%.

For the third week of October, the AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s wind energy production forecasting points to an increase in all markets except in the Italian one.

AleaSoft - Wind energy production electricity EuropeSource: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from ENTSO-E, RTE, REN, REE and TERNA.

Electricity demand

In the week of October 11, average temperatures fell compared to those of the previous week in most of the European markets analysed by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting. This led to an increase in electricity demand in most markets if the values registered during those two weeks are compared. The largest increase was registered in the French market, which was 6.5%. The markets of Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Great Britain also registered increases of over 3.0%. In the case of Spain, where Hispanic Day was celebrated on October 12, the demand fell by 3.9%. According to the estimates made by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, if the effect of this holiday is corrected, the demand is at a similar level to that of the week that began on October 4.

According to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s forecasts, in the week of October 18, the electricity demand will increase in the markets of Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and the Netherlands, because temperatures are expected to drop. In the rest of the markets, temperatures will rise and the demand will be similar or lower than that registered in the week of October 11.

AleaSoft - Electricity demand European countriesSource: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from ENTSO-E, RTE, REN, REE, TERNA, National Grid and ELIA.

European electricity markets

In the week of October 11, prices of most of the European electricity markets analysed at AleaSoft Energy Forecasting fell. The exceptions were the N2EX market of the United Kingdom, with an increase of 3.5%, and the EPEX SPOT market of Belgium and France, with increases of 3.3% and 0.2% respectively. On the other hand, the largest price drop was that of the Nord Pool market of the Nordic countries, of 24%, while the smallest was that of the EPEX SPOT market of the Netherlands, of 0.6%. In the rest of the markets, the price decreases were between 6.1% of the IPEX market of Italy and 14% of the EPEX SPOT market of Germany.

In the second week of October, the highest weekly average price was that of the N2EX market, of €245.35/MWh, followed by that of the IPEX market, of €210.46/MWh. On the other hand, the lowest average was that of the Nord Pool market, of €62.06/MWh. In the rest of the markets, prices were between €158.13/MWh of the EPEX SPOT market of Germany and €205.56/MWh of the MIBEL market of Portugal.

On the other hand, the highest daily price of the week, of €353.93/MWh, was reached on Friday, October 15, in the British market, which was the highest in this market since the record prices reached in the middle of September. The lowest daily price of the week, of €25.16/MWh, was also registered on Friday. This occurred in the Nord Pool market and it was the second lowest price so far this half of the year in the Nordic countries.

During the second week of October, the increase in wind energy production in countries such as Germany and Italy favoured price declines. In the case of the Spanish market, the fall in demand due to the October 12 holiday also exerted its downward influence on electricity prices. In addition, gas and CO2 prices fell compared to those of the previous week, leading to lower electricity markets prices.

AleaSoft - Solar Panels

The AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s price forecasting indicates that in the week of October 18, prices might fall in most markets, influenced by the general increase in wind energy production. However, in Italy, where a decrease in production with this technology is expected, the price might increase. Price increases are also expected in the MIBEL market despite the increase in renewable energy production in the Iberian Peninsula. This increase will be favoured by the stoppage to recharge of the Ascó I nuclear power plant.

AleaSoft - European electricity market pricesSource: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from OMIE, EPEX SPOT, Nord Pool and GME.

Electricity futures

During the second week of October, electricity futures prices for the first quarter of 2022 registered increases in almost all the European electricity markets analysed at AleaSoft Energy Forecasting. The exceptions were the ICE and NASDAQ markets of the Nordic countries, in which declines were registered if the settlement prices of the sessions of October 8 and 15 are compared, of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively. In the rest of the markets, increases were between the 1.2% registered in the EEX market of the United Kingdom and 11% of the EEX market of France.

Regarding the product of the next year, 2022, a similar situation was observed. The markets of the Nordic countries registered falls of 5.2% in the case of the ICE market and 6.1% in the NASDAQ market. Meanwhile, the EEX market of France registered an increase of 12%, closely followed by the EEX market of Italy, Germany and Spain and the OMIP market of Spain and Portugal. The market in which prices registered the lowest increase was once again the EEX of the United Kingdom, in this case with a 5.7% increase.

AleaSoft - Table settlement price European electricity futures markets Q1 and Y1

Brent, fuels and CO2

Brent oil futures prices for the Front‑Month in the ICE market, during the second week of October, remained above $83/bbl. The maximum settlement price of the week, of $84.86/bbl, was reached on Friday, October 15. This price was 3.0% higher than that of the previous Friday and the highest since October 2018. But in the session of Monday, October 18, these futures were traded above $85/bbl.

Brent oil futures prices continue to rise due to the recovery in demand. In addition to the increase in mobility, the increase in use of oil and its derivatives in the electricity generation is also contributing to the increase in demand. This increase is due to the substitution of gas and coal in electricity production due to their high prices. On the other hand, negotiations on Iran’s nuclear energy treaty are to resume this week. The evolution of the negotiations is expected to influence futures prices due to the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iran’s crude exports.

As for TTF gas futures prices in the ICE market for the Front‑Month, on Monday, October 11, they continued with the decreases of the last days of the first week of October, but as of Tuesday, October 12, prices began to recover. On Thursday, October 14, the highest settlement price of the week, of €102.17/MWh, was reached. This price was 5.8% higher than that of the previous Thursday, but more than €13/MWh lower than the historical record of €116.02/MWh reached on Tuesday, October 5.

Regarding the settlement prices of the CO2 emission rights futures in the EEX market for the reference contract of December 2021, almost the entire second week of October remained below €60/t. The only exception was on Thursday, October 14, when a settlement price of €61.44/t was reached.

AleaSoft - Prices gas coal Brent oil CO2Source: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from ICE and EEX.

AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s analysis on the prospects for energy markets in Europe

The analysis of the evolution of the European energy markets is one of the topics of AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s monthly webinars. The last one, held on October 7, also analysed the current state of the renewable energy projects financing and the importance of the forecasting in audits and portfolio valuation with two invited speakers from Deloitte Spain. Deloitte Spain and AleaSoft Energy Forecasting clients can request the recording here.

The next webinar organised by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting will be held on November 11, this time with the participation of invited speakers from Engie Spain. In it, the renewable energy projects financing will continue to be discussed and the analysis of the evolution of European energy markets will be updated.

Antonio Delgado Rigal, CEO of AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, will participate on Wednesday, October 20, at 5:45 p.m. in the analysis table on financing that will be held within the framework of the VIII Solar Forum of the UNEF. This table will analyse whether recent regulatory changes led to a worsening in financing conditions for photovoltaic energy projects and whether under current conditions the projects to the market continue to be bankable.

Source: AleaSoft Energy Forecasting.
 
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