The UK Phase II nap is under consulatation and the energy sector is going to have to cut emissions further, a switch to gas will help, but don't expect a fall in emissions prices and for this to be passed on to the consumer.
The UK government is currently in the process of submitting our phase II NAP (National Allocation Plan) to the European Commission. This document has to be submitted by the end of June and sets out by installation the amount of CO2 reductions for 2008-2012. Phase II is designed to get Europe to comply with their Kyoto commitments, and whilst Phase 1 is stringent the pressure to conform in a world environment is less. As part of the NAP process the government looks at things by industry sector and it notes that 40% of CO2 comes from UK generation, it will know that by placing stringent targets on this sector will inevitably mean that the prices get passed on to consumers and so the lobbying from this group is less loud than others industries such as steel, which competes on a world market some of which do not comply with Kyoto.
The power industry also has a flown in the face of emissions and has persisted on burning coal which produces three times as much CO2 as burning gas, mainly because the economics can justify it. The spark spread is significantly lower than the dark spread. So whilst this is especially interesting what does it all mean.
It means that there are some serious regulatory uncertainities coming up in the next 4 years. We have seen some remarkably large rises in oil, gas and power prices, much of this is due to economic cycles but also some of it is due to massive underinvestment in supply over the last fifteen years. The market has to recover these costs in the future and it is not unreasonable to expect prices to rise in the long term. If you as a company are short power it might be worth buying some power today on a forward basis safe in the knowledge that if power price falls, the falls will be small in comparison to the potential rise.
05 March 2008
Drax profit margins fall as competition will only get harder. read more...
31 January 2008
Targets look quite difficult to achieve just by cutting the norm! read more...
21 November 2007
Port Talbot to host the worlds largest biomass plant read more...
22 September 2006
The market has seen the effects of hedge funds, big players who can move markets when reversing positions, they can also push them too far and the skill in any trader is moving the market but not doing it so unsubtley that the market front runs you. Hedge funds struggle with this due to the volume of trades required to reverse the position. read more...
17 October 2005
The key to long term investment lies in a stable a market with few regulatory influences. The current UK market is the antithesis of this and so long term investment is being put on hold. read more...
CRC- What Price?
In November it was reported that traders in the UK energy markets were beginning to place bets that the Government will not go ahead with its controversial Carbon Floor Price. The Carbon Floor Price has relevance to the CRC, not least because some commentators have suggested that the fixed price levels could track the known Carbon Floor Price. Current EUA prices also seem vastly at odds to the proposed CRC price. British business is lobbying hard for a level and competitive playing field. read more...
03 February 2012
In November it was reported that traders in the UK energy markets were beginning to place bets that the Government will not go ahead with its controversial Carbon Floor Price. The Carbon Floor Price has relevance to the CRC, not least because some commentators have suggested that the fixed price levels could track the known Carbon Floor Price. Current EUA prices also seem vastly at odds to the proposed CRC price. British business is lobbying hard for a level and competitive playing field. read more...
Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
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 read more...
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 read more...
Japan, Germany & MENA -Global Energy
Bullish gains were seen across the fuels complex as traders and analysts rushed to assess the impact of the devastating earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in Japan as well as Germany's announcement that it was to take 7 nuclear generators offline immediately. read more...
18 March 2011
Bullish gains were seen across the fuels complex as traders and analysts rushed to assess the impact of the devastating earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in Japan as well as Germany's announcement that it was to take 7 nuclear generators offline immediately. read more...
Capacity Payments Discussed as a Tool to encourage Investment
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development. read more...
30 June 2010
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development. read more...
Coal, Gas & Carbon all help to hold WInter Down
Contracts across the power curve opened strongly helped by the high prices reported in the oil markets. read more...
28 April 2008
Contracts across the power curve opened strongly helped by the high prices reported in the oil markets. read more...
Energy Forward Prices continue to gain ground
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. read more...
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. read more...
The Market in April 2011
In comparison to the activity seen in March – the energy markets seemed relatively sedate shedding some of the value along the way. read more...
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. read more...
Carbon Floor Price Announcement: The Market Reacts
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 read more...
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 read more...
Crude Oil Breaks Through $110bbl
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. read more...
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. read more...
New White Paper highlights need for Energy Risk Management
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? read more...
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? read more...
Energy Secretary gives the first annual energy statement to the Commons
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
28 July 2010
Chris Huhne, the coalition government Energy Secretary yesterday gave the first annual energy statement to the Commons. He set out plans to secure energy supplies and cut carbon emissions. In all 32 measures were outlined all with the aim of helping the UK achieve the legally binding target to cut emission by 80% by 2050. read more...
Capacity Payments Discussed as a Tool to encourage Investment
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development. read more...
30 June 2010
In a week when the engineering industry, in its State of the Nation report, said that the Energy Industry gave the most cause for concern in light of security of supply, Energy Minister Charles Hendry spoke of 'Capacity Payments' as a tool to incentivise plant development. read more...
Investing in the Future
The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. Should this sector suffer? read more...
11 June 2010
The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. Should this sector suffer? read more...
Queens Speech: Energy Bill Outlined
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill. read more...
25 May 2010
The state opening of Parliament is history personified, wrapped in lashings and lashings of ceremony, pageantry and tradition dating back centuries. But for all its spectacle, there is the serious business of the Queen's speech (actually the Government's) which this year included details of this coalition government's Energy Bill. read more...
No Financial Support for Nuclear
How will the coalition, that had such differing opinions about nuclear, find common ground? read more...
17 May 2010
How will the coalition, that had such differing opinions about nuclear, find common ground? 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...
Powerisk Receives-Independent Energy Consultant Commendation
At the recent Energy ‘Buying and Supplying’ Excellence Awards, Powerisk received a Commendation in the Independent Energy Consultant of the Year category. The awards, held at The Langham Hotel in London, were designed to showcase and recognise the very best practises in the energy supply and procurement arena with consideration given to all those involved in the process. read more...
29 November 2010
At the recent Energy ‘Buying and Supplying’ Excellence Awards, Powerisk received a Commendation in the Independent Energy Consultant of the Year category. The awards, held at The Langham Hotel in London, were designed to showcase and recognise the very best practises in the energy supply and procurement arena with consideration given to all those involved in the process. read more...
New White Paper highlights need for Energy Risk Management
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? read more...
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? read more...
Suddenly it's "British Petroleum"
A name not used in a very long time, but suddenly the US are quick to refer to BP by its old name of British Petroleum, hoping perhaps to distance itself from blame regarding the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But as the US announces a criminal investigation and as BP shares suffer further should the British economy concern itself? read more...
02 June 2010
A name not used in a very long time, but suddenly the US are quick to refer to BP by its old name of British Petroleum, hoping perhaps to distance itself from blame regarding the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But as the US announces a criminal investigation and as BP shares suffer further should the British economy concern itself? read more...
Why is the Dollar Important?
With LNG now having a place in the UK gas market, the dollar will influence our energy prices. read more...
25 September 2009
With LNG now having a place in the UK gas market, the dollar will influence our energy prices. read more...
Recent oil price rises will not last
The recent oil price increase seen last week has already started to fall and Powerisk explains why it will continue to stall. read more...
25 March 2009
The recent oil price increase seen last week has already started to fall and Powerisk explains why it will continue to stall. read more...
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