Average power in June reversed the potential downward trend seen in the previous two months. Prices increased by 28% month-on-month, with June’s outturn being €190/mwh, compared to €148 in May.
A temporary decrease in the energy spot price in the first week of June was preceded by a sharp increase, as it followed the NBP gas spot price into bullish territory.
1. Gas continues to be the headline maker
- Gas prices were bearish in the first week of the month, due to continued improving gas storage and also mild weather reducing the need for gas generation.
- Then prices took a sharp turn into bullish territory, coinciding with the Freeport Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) explosion in Texas, which will significantly impact deliveries of LNG from US to Europe for what now looks like at least 3 months, after initial guidance of 3 weeks.
- Also fueling that push toward higher prices, is increased concern over the security of gas supply from Russia. Gas supplies have decreased by up to 60% on key routes since mid June.
- In addition, there is a view that the 10 day maintenance shut down of Nord Stream 1 pipeline, scheduled for early July, may develop into something bigger, as Russia seeks to weaponise gas in their devastating war.
2. Renewables continue to contribute
- Renewables, in the form of wind, contributed ~29% of the generation Mix in June, representing a 5% increase on the same month in 2021.
3. Generation continue at reasonable levels
- Outages have decreased slightly on May highs and continue at a reasonable level.
- Outages are close to those experienced during the 2021 Capacity Crisis. However, the majority of outages were planned with the exception of Great Island (464MW) & Tarbert (243MW), which is forecast to come back on line in early August and March 2023 respectively.
- It is hoped that such a crisis will be averted later this year, with outage levels staying below 2021 levels.
What’s next?
- Power Forward prices saw an increase from May.
- The apparent vulnerability of LNG supply and increased uncertainty over the security of Russian gas supply going into winter 2022/23 has bumped up the risk premium sought by markets, thus impacting forward price of energy in Ireland and elsewhere.
- The reduced gas supply coupled with the breakout of war, European sanctions and markets fear of further sanctions against Russian energy exports has increased the risk premium in forward pricing.
The key drivers for the market
- Geopolitical situation in Ukraine and potential for Russia to influence the gas market – Negative
- Weather – Mild winter & Spring has helped normalise European Storage – Positive
- Moral and Political demand for sanctions on gas and oil – Negative
- EU ramp up plans for renewable (and other) energy generation projects and more strategic collaboration between member states, in order to reduce future reliance on Russian gas supplies – Positive
- Vulnerability of the already strained and highly sensitive global gas supply to any further negative influencing factors such as the Freeport LNG explosion – Negative
- It is hoped that key LNG deliveries will come online, to help meet winter demand – Positive
Disclaimer
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