Oil under pressure from Iran, as coal fired plant is on the up as the spark spread tightens relative to the dark spread.
The Financial Times has reported today that the world is moving from gas fired plant to coal fired plant for the production of power. Alstom, Siemens and GE have all said that demand for gas is on the decline and that new technology in producing power using coal with low emissions is now driving players to procure new coal technology rather than pursue the old gas technology.
Further, analysis by the Sunday Times suggests that the supply of oil is problematic, some suggest that production will reach its peak in the next couple of years, others suggest that it may well be as late as 2022. Either way the only thing which is tempering demand is price. Furthermore, with Iran under the threat of sanctions and owning 5% of oil production the suggestion that they squeeze the market will not do world economies any good. A worldwide recession would effect oil demand dramatically.
14 August 2008
Currency moves has meant that buying $ priced oil and coal will be costing the UK more than in previous months. read more...
13 September 2005
Drax bid brings us back to the old days, but times have changed since the first £1.9bn bid. read more...
10 August 2005
Scottish Power look good but is their trouble round the corner read more...
25 June 2005
Market highs, put pressure on governments to intervene, who is likely to be the G.Soros of the power market. read more...
12 April 2005
Morgan Stanley downgrades Corus. read more...
Winter 11 - A Slippery Slope
While March was a month of shocks and gains, April seems to have marked the start of a downward trend in the UK power market. The WInter 11 contract is just one example. read more...
06 May 2011
While March was a month of shocks and gains, April seems to have marked the start of a downward trend in the UK power market. The WInter 11 contract is just one example. read more...
Where's the certainty?
There was a time when you could quite comfortably forecast the running order of generation plant in the UK - but 2009 has seen a dramatic turn in the stack! read more...
23 December 2009
There was a time when you could quite comfortably forecast the running order of generation plant in the UK - but 2009 has seen a dramatic turn in the stack! read more...
Dong buy Severn Power
The Danish energy utility, Dong have bought one part of Carron Energy. read more...
10 March 2009
The Danish energy utility, Dong have bought one part of Carron Energy. read more...
Green Light for additional 3.92GW of Capacity
The development of 3.92GW of power plant capacity was given the green light yesterday by the Department for Energy & Climate Change. read more...
06 February 2009
The development of 3.92GW of power plant capacity was given the green light yesterday by the Department for Energy & Climate Change. read more...
A sliding Prompt
A comfortable system in terms of supply margins left the prompt power market sliding. read more...
14 November 2008
A comfortable system in terms of supply margins left the prompt power market sliding. read more...
Weather Forecasts and Iranian Threats
Forecast and outturn cold weather drove gas and coal prices this week which in turn had an impact on the power curve. Iran threatened to cut off crude supplies ahead of the EU's proposed July sanctions; a move that would impact EU nations as they seek to find alternative sources ahead of the import ban. read more...
27 January 2012
Forecast and outturn cold weather drove gas and coal prices this week which in turn had an impact on the power curve. Iran threatened to cut off crude supplies ahead of the EU's proposed July sanctions; a move that would impact EU nations as they seek to find alternative sources ahead of the import ban. read more...
The downward trend comes to an end
The Power market was finally knocked of its downward slide on 19th July with oil and gas prices helping to break the trend. Oil received a boost from lower than expected stock levels (again) and hopes that a US debt deal could be reached. While a Eurozone Emergency Summit was held to rescue the Euro and throw a further lifeline to Greece. read more...
22 July 2011
The Power market was finally knocked of its downward slide on 19th July with oil and gas prices helping to break the trend. Oil received a boost from lower than expected stock levels (again) and hopes that a US debt deal could be reached. While a Eurozone Emergency Summit was held to rescue the Euro and throw a further lifeline to Greece. read more...
Energy Curves regain some of the Losses
The energy markets have recovered from the 'plunging losses' seen earlier in June which dragged down fuel and power prices. Prices across the power curve all report strong week on week gains. read more...
01 July 2011
The energy markets have recovered from the 'plunging losses' seen earlier in June which dragged down fuel and power prices. Prices across the power curve all report strong week on week gains. read more...
OPEC Fail to Reach Agreement
OPEC met on 8 June but failed to reach a consensus for the first time in 20 years -oil production levels remaining unchanged. read more...
08 June 2011
OPEC met on 8 June but failed to reach a consensus for the first time in 20 years -oil production levels remaining unchanged. read more...
High Oil Price Threatens Economic Recovery
The International Energy Agency (IEA) releases statement urging OPEC to increase supply or risk derailing the economic recovery. read more...
20 May 2011
The International Energy Agency (IEA) releases statement urging OPEC to increase supply or risk derailing the economic recovery. read more...
October -What to Expect
October is a month to identify some good value purchasing opportunities. History suggests we will see prices slip through the month before the real winter drivers kick in. read more...
03 October 2011
October is a month to identify some good value purchasing opportunities. History suggests we will see prices slip through the month before the real winter drivers kick in. read more...
Shale Gas - Latest UK estimates suggest enough for next 11 years
Cuadrilla Resources, the company at the forefront of Britain's Shale gas exploration released its first estimates of the amount of shale gas contained in the rocks of Lancashire. At 200 trillion cubic feet, the estimates are significant to say the least. read more...
22 September 2011
Cuadrilla Resources, the company at the forefront of Britain's Shale gas exploration released its first estimates of the amount of shale gas contained in the rocks of Lancashire. At 200 trillion cubic feet, the estimates are significant to say the least. read more...
Gas Imports Keep the System Balanced
Two GBAs in one week, use of Interruptible Supply Contracts and record temperatures but the system remains balanced and gas prices even drop during trading. read more...
08 January 2010
Two GBAs in one week, use of Interruptible Supply Contracts and record temperatures but the system remains balanced and gas prices even drop during trading. read more...
Gas Balancing Alert Issued
National Grid issues a rarely used Gas Balancing Alert following both supply and demand pressures. With severe weather warnings in place and freezing temperatures set to continue, will this be the last of the GBAs? read more...
05 January 2010
National Grid issues a rarely used Gas Balancing Alert following both supply and demand pressures. With severe weather warnings in place and freezing temperatures set to continue, will this be the last of the GBAs? read more...
EdF enters the world of competition..
EdF has capitalised on competitive energy markets across Europe, not least in the UK, while at the same time enjoying a dominant, competition free, environment at home in France. It looks as though the EC has finally caught up with them... read more...
05 November 2009
EdF has capitalised on competitive energy markets across Europe, not least in the UK, while at the same time enjoying a dominant, competition free, environment at home in France. It looks as though the EC has finally caught up with them... read more...
What's in the Mix?
While gains may have been seen in both the power and gas markets this week – the gains were not equal causing a big shift in the generation mix read more...
24 September 2010
While gains may have been seen in both the power and gas markets this week – the gains were not equal causing a big shift in the generation mix read more...
Out with the Old, In with the New
During the last day of trading in 2009, the UK Power curve closes down but what will the New Year hold in store? read more...
31 December 2009
During the last day of trading in 2009, the UK Power curve closes down but what will the New Year hold in store? read more...
Unseasonal Temperatures help to melt prices
Middle of November but no sign of wintery temperatures. The effect was to soften the prompt power market, which also felt the pressure from weak commodity curves. The downward trend fed through the power curve. read more...
16 November 2009
Middle of November but no sign of wintery temperatures. The effect was to soften the prompt power market, which also felt the pressure from weak commodity curves. The downward trend fed through the power curve. read more...
Market forgets basic principles and panics!
It could be said that the market over reacted today in the prompt market with a price rally on the back of a £142 half hourly cash out price. read more...
02 October 2009
It could be said that the market over reacted today in the prompt market with a price rally on the back of a £142 half hourly cash out price. read more...
What's Happening in the Back-End?
The back end of the curve is extremely difficult to trade. Those dipping their toe in tend to be Producers (with excessive length adjusting their risk positions) and Banks looking for some exposure. At the same time Retailers tend to be short-termist. read more...
19 June 2009
The back end of the curve is extremely difficult to trade. Those dipping their toe in tend to be Producers (with excessive length adjusting their risk positions) and Banks looking for some exposure. At the same time Retailers tend to be short-termist. read more...
November 2011 Review
While debt repayment concerns combined with woeful economic indicators continued to be a feature throughout November, supply and demand fundamentals were an obvious driver too. Unseasonably warm weather combined with (and causing) plentiful gas storage meant that UK power and gas markets went into a nose dive. read more...
02 December 2011
While debt repayment concerns combined with woeful economic indicators continued to be a feature throughout November, supply and demand fundamentals were an obvious driver too. Unseasonably warm weather combined with (and causing) plentiful gas storage meant that UK power and gas markets went into a nose dive. read more...
Prepare for the clash of OPEC & IEA
With less than a month to go until OPEC meets, the statements are beginning to fly: OPEC believe the oil market looks balanced while the IEA again are saying that high oil prices could harm fragile global economic growth. Let the battle begin! read more...
23 November 2011
With less than a month to go until OPEC meets, the statements are beginning to fly: OPEC believe the oil market looks balanced while the IEA again are saying that high oil prices could harm fragile global economic growth. Let the battle begin! read more...
Markets Still Jittery
Most markets reported further losses today on the back of underlying nerves about the ability of both Europe and the US to repay their debts. Oil, commodities and equities all reported losses. read more...
21 November 2011
Most markets reported further losses today on the back of underlying nerves about the ability of both Europe and the US to repay their debts. Oil, commodities and equities all reported losses. read more...
Turmoil returns on Greek Announcement
Following last weeks announcement that the eurozone leaders had reached an agreement on a Greek bailout - one that would see banks take a 50% hit on their holdings of Greek debt, the Greek Prime Minister made his own shocking announcement that he plans to hold a referendum on the matter. The Markets tumble in response. read more...
01 November 2011
Following last weeks announcement that the eurozone leaders had reached an agreement on a Greek bailout - one that would see banks take a 50% hit on their holdings of Greek debt, the Greek Prime Minister made his own shocking announcement that he plans to hold a referendum on the matter. The Markets tumble in response. read more...
Eurozone Debt Deal Announced
After prolonged discussions and late night talks, European leaders have announced a agreement on a a Eurozone debt deal. But will the devil be in the detail? read more...
27 October 2011
After prolonged discussions and late night talks, European leaders have announced a agreement on a a Eurozone debt deal. But will the devil be in the detail? read more...
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