
19 July 2006
The markets look more stable and although the back end has started to respond a little to oil and emissions it could well be short lived, as the fundamentals suggest that quite significant amounts of the 18GW of plant which was unavailable in July will return in August.
Looking at the papers this morning one would surmise that we are heading towards meltdown. The Independent asks it's readers whether the hot weather is as a result of global warming or just a freak. Both the Times and Financial Times talk of soaring energy prices and the possibility of an interest rate rise. Seeing these headlines, makes one think that the market is returning to its 2005 ways with price spikes in June and July.
Reality is a different story, day ahead (although starting the morning at £101) is now offered at £67 and there is not a bid in sight. August also down on the morning is now trading at £40.20 and looks set to potentially break the £40 mark. Winter 06 is perhaps the only product to break the trend with some buying strength at £61.50, though it looks as if many sellers will come to the party at £62. So if we wind the clock back to two weeks ago when the market was bearish and oil and emissions prices had not risen the prices further along the curve look remarkably similar. Either the backend of the curve will rise to meet the emissions and oil or and this is more likely the oil and emissions will fall back. Certainly in Europe the sell off has been quite aggressive as France and Germany look to be able to manage their respective systems.
100 %
The problem with trading forward
 
16 November 2006
Market a little lacklustre with players slack to tighten spreads and trading small amounts of spark spreads. Sellers appear to have gone to sleep and the relentless buyers are having to bridge the bid offer spread.  
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100 %
Weather Check
 
27 October 2006
Weather forecasts suggest that the mild weather will last well into November, but when it does start to get cold look for those tell tale price increases.  
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100 %
Winter 06 slides.
 
24 July 2006
Winter 06 reacting maturely to the prompt fears and beginning to move South as gas producers start to off-load some of their length.  
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Bears still around
 
04 November 2005
Bears push market down on the back of gas, the run has been quite long lived and some will question when the bulls will return.  
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Energy Forward Prices continue to gain ground
 
10 June 2011
Despite market participants describing the market as stagnant and directionless, energy forward prices continue to gain ground. Winter 11 power closed the week up at £59.65/MWh while NBP Winter 11 gas finished at 72.20p/therm.  
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The Market in April 2011
 
28 April 2011
In comparison to the activity seen in March – the energy markets seemed relatively sedate shedding some of the value along the way.  
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Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
 
25 March 2011
The tensions seen in the markets last week, as participants assessed the impact of Japan and nuclear withdrawal in Germany, appeared to have eased when the market started trading on Monday. The Government's mid week budget Carbon Floor Price announcement soon changes that though  
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Crude Oil Breaks Through $110bbl
 
04 March 2011
Unfolding news in the Middle East continued to dominate the UK energy markets this week. When crude oil prices broke through $100bbl at the start of the month, the impact was noticeable on UK gas prices and Power prices in turn. Winter 11 power and gas closed the week at £55.75/MWh and 67p/therm respectively.  
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New White Paper highlights need for Energy Risk Management
 
11 November 2010
Yesterday, npower launched its new white paper, commissioned from the London School of Economics on Energy Risk Management for UK business. The paper comes on the back of research that suggests that UK businesses now feel that energy presents a higher level of risk to their business than health and safety and security issues. But what should businesses be doing to manage the risks?  
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Monthly Review - Jan 2012
 
01 February 2012
Weather, oil sanctions and European debt concerns were the pushers and pullers this month as energy markets responded to competing indicators. Volatility was the only constant.  
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Weather Forecasts and Iranian Threats
 
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.  
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Warm weather weighs heavy on prices
 
06 January 2012
Unseasonably warm weather and European debt crisis fears continued to influence the markets at the start of 2012. While oil did open the year up on the back of strong economic data from both the US and China, it retraced its steps on surprise US stockpile data combined with the Euro debt fears.  
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The Market in April 2011
 
28 April 2011
In comparison to the activity seen in March – the energy markets seemed relatively sedate shedding some of the value along the way.  
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Confidence Returns to Market
 
20 December 2010
Despite a continuation of cold conditions, confidence was seen returning to the market with a stabilisation of spot prices and comfortable system margins. There was some focus on the curve with seasonal contracts all reporting some gain on the previous weeks levels apart form Summer 13.  
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