Darling thinks that Ofgem may hold the answers but Ofgem rightly do not interfere with markets something which Darling should be aware of.
The chancellor has written a letter to Ofgem asking them if they can shed any light on the increase in power and gas price annouced by Npower on Friday. No doubt the Chancellor is worried that the increase will put pressure on inflation and this is a key goal of all western economies. However, the chancellor would have to have been living in a cave not to realise that the wholesale gas and power markets (quite often led by oil) have been rising significantly.
The cost of coal and gas is now as high as two years ago and the retailers whilst holding off have now decided to pass on the wholesale pain to the customer.
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...
22 January 2008
Ernst Young think that gas is where the growth is. Powerisk disagrees and thinks that the future is in coal this where the growth in the technology is. read more...
11 January 2008
Coal although massively in demand has risen so much in price that players have switched to gas, this in turn has risen and perhaps as all commodities prices start to fall on economics some will start to look at coal more seriously again. read more...
09 January 2006
Coal and emissions still cheaper than gas, and so energy reviews and white papers cannot take away the economic facts that the dash for gas was right for the 1990's, and less apt for now. read more...
16 December 2005
Quiet market as the traders drink to healthy profits before Christmas. 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...
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...
Downward Trend Still in Play
Most contracts in the UK energy markets continued to lose ground this week enforcing the downward trend that has been in play since the start of the month. The Winter 11 contracts closed the week at £57.60MW/h and 68.85p/therm. read more...
13 May 2011
Most contracts in the UK energy markets continued to lose ground this week enforcing the downward trend that has been in play since the start of the month. The Winter 11 contracts closed the week at £57.60MW/h and 68.85p/therm. 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...
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...
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...
Solar in the UK - Not So Bright
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry read more...
01 November 2011
DECC has published the Comprehensive Feed-in Tariff (FiT) document and at the same time, many say, put a nail in the coffin for the Solar Industry in the UK. With the FiT rate for Solar Power to be cut by more than 50%, and with a proposal that eligibility to the scheme should be linked to a minimum energy efficiency requirement - many fear that this will be the end for the industry 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...
We're borrowing less than expected....
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
20 August 2010
As the government prepares its spending review it will no doubt welcome the latest figures that show net borrowing for July at £3.8bn. While still sizeable, this is £1.2bn less than forecast and well down on the £6.1bn that was borrowed in the same month last year. read more...
Confidence knocked in the Financial Markets
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. read more...
12 August 2010
Statements from around the world all suggest a stalled recovery while closer to home there are continuing signs of inflationary pressures at a time of slow to stagnant growth. 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...
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...
Two Years On...
This week marked the 2nd Anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, perhaps the most significant collapse of the banking crisis. Ironic perhaps then that the anniversary coincided with the publication of stricter international banking rules requiring banks to hold larger cash reserves. How will these banking regulations impact energy companies? read more...
17 September 2010
This week marked the 2nd Anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, perhaps the most significant collapse of the banking crisis. Ironic perhaps then that the anniversary coincided with the publication of stricter international banking rules requiring banks to hold larger cash reserves. How will these banking regulations impact energy companies? read more...
Falling Wholesale Prices but what about the tariffs?
Even though the power wholesale market is following the falls seen in gas (Winter 09 Baseload closed the week down £0.20MWh at £38.70), and is now at levels where supplier tariffs must be under pressure, any tariff reduction announcements are unlikely to be made anytime soon. read more...
18 September 2009
Even though the power wholesale market is following the falls seen in gas (Winter 09 Baseload closed the week down £0.20MWh at £38.70), and is now at levels where supplier tariffs must be under pressure, any tariff reduction announcements are unlikely to be made anytime soon. read more...
Who will have the last laugh on the Green Agenda?
The Government’s announcement last week on the projected state of the UK energy industry is interesting and informative and demonstrates their willingness to impose a green agenda - but at what cost? read more...
24 July 2009
The Government’s announcement last week on the projected state of the UK energy industry is interesting and informative and demonstrates their willingness to impose a green agenda - but at what cost? read more...
Ofgem enquiry completed
Ofgem have completed their competition probe and not really delivered for business. read more...
18 March 2009
Ofgem have completed their competition probe and not really delivered for business. read more...
Imera secures new inter connector
Imera an Irish consortium has secured a good growth opportunity for 2011. read more...
07 December 2008
Imera an Irish consortium has secured a good growth opportunity for 2011. read more...
Monthly Review - Jan 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. read more...
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. 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...
Power Prices Ride the Crest of the Fuel Wave
A bullish fuel market fed through into the UK Power Market today with gains of over £2/MWh seen on most of the seasonal curve contracts. read more...
26 April 2010
A bullish fuel market fed through into the UK Power Market today with gains of over £2/MWh seen on most of the seasonal curve contracts. read more...
What type of recession will it be.
Economists are trying hard to work out if this recession will be a V, W or square root type of recession. read more...
13 May 2009
Economists are trying hard to work out if this recession will be a V, W or square root type of recession. read more...
Oil eases off
Oil bulls retreated as the markets digested the US oil stock levels. read more...
15 April 2009
Oil bulls retreated as the markets digested the US oil stock levels. 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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