Chris Hurcombe’s Post

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Chief Executive Officer - Catalyst Digital Energy

Today the UK #energy #market continues to be shaped by dynamic fluctuations in #electricity and #gas prices, driven by both domestic factors and broader global energy trends. Electricity Prices: The UK's electricity market has seen varied movements in pricing across different contracts. The UK Day-Ahead (DA) Base price for electricity settled at £80.64 per megawatt-hour (MWh) on August 13, 2024, reflecting a slight increase compared to previous settlements. This trend is consistent with a broader rise across spot and forward contracts, indicating potential upward pressure on prices as we approach the winter months. Gas Prices: Natural gas prices in the UK have shown a similar pattern of slight declines and increases across various contracts. The National Balancing Point (NBP) Day-Ahead price for gas stood at 84.00 pence per therm on August 13, 2024, slightly down from the previous day. However, forward contracts for the upcoming winter months remain higher, with November 2024 gas prices at 109.25 pence per therm. This reflects ongoing concerns about supply constraints and the need for storage filling ahead of the colder season. Market Influences: Several factors have influenced these price movements. The UK's electricity prices are partially affected by the availability of imports from Norway and the operational status of domestic facilities, including scheduled maintenance outages. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has continued to cast uncertainty over gas flows from Russia, which has a ripple effect across European gas markets. Looking Ahead: As we move towards the winter of 2024-2025, market participants are keeping a close eye on storage levels and import capacities, which will play critical roles in determining the trajectory of energy prices. The European Commission's target of achieving a 90% fill rate for gas storage by November 1, 2024, adds an additional layer of strategic importance to these developments. In summary, while electricity prices in the UK have experienced moderate gains, gas prices continue to fluctuate with an overall upward trend for the winter months. Stakeholders in the energy market should remain vigilant to these developments as they plan for the rest of the year.

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