day-ahead market

Subdued day-ahead market to result in lower retail prices this January

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The wholesale electricity market’s subdued day-ahead market prices, averaging 109.5 euros per MWh in the first eleven days of December, below the November average and well below predictions of levels between 120 and 122 euros per MWh, appear set to result in lower retail electricity prices in January, 2024, when energy crisis measures will be lifted, compared to levels in January this year.

Assuming no dramatic changes take place in day-ahead market prices during the rest of the month, power utility PPC’s basic tariff rate for January is expected to be set at approximately 14 cents per KWh for monthly consumption levels of up to 500 KWh, and 15.4 cents per KWh for consumption over 500 KWh.

Last January, PPC’s respective rates were 15.9 and 22.1 cents per KWh, following considerable subsidy support for all consumers. Universal electricity subsidies, introduced as a support measure during the energy crisis, will be terminated as of January 1.

Though there are no indications of conditions that could prompt a sharp rise in international wholesale electricity prices by the end of the month, a worst-case scenario lifting the wholesale average to 120 euros per MWh would still not suffice to push PPC’s basic retail tariff above 15.7 cents per KWh for monthly consumption up to 500 KWh and 16.7 cents per KWh for monthly consumption over 500 KWh.

Low-income households relying on electricity for heating should expect tariffs of 11 cents per KWh, once a social support package has been factored in.

Besides the favorable wholesale market conditions, the Greek electricity market’s new system, to offer four types of tariffs as of the new year, appears to have already triggered intense competition.

RES penetration to be aided by 15-minute trading products

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The introduction of 15-minute continuous trading products in the day-ahead market, preparations for which are in full swing, according to energypress sources, would reduce balancing costs and also offer better terms for the renewable sector’s penetration of the energy mix.

However, the transition to 15-minute continuous trading products in the day-ahead market, planned to take place simultaneously across Europe in 2025, promises to be a demanding task for all parties involved.

The Greek Energy Exchange, as a key player in the domestic implementation of the project, has already begun relevant preparations to adapt and improve all its systems in order to be able to support related transactions.

Power grid operator IPTO will need to take similar action for its infrastructure, and at grid interconnections, to ensure transactions flow smoothly amid conditions in which 15-minute products will play dominant roles in the day-ahead and intraday markets.

Indeed, Greece’s unique position with both coupled (Bulgaria, Italy) and non-coupled (Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey) neighboring electricity markets presents a challenge that requires special provisions.

Special attention will be needed so that 15-minute continuous trading products can also apply for non-coupled markets, otherwise the Greek market will be obliged to maintain 60-minute products, as is the case at present, in order to trade electricity in the day-ahead market with non-coupled markets.

 

 

 

Higher gas prices to push up September electricity tariffs

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Significantly higher natural gas prices in international markets over the past few days will lead to wholesale electricity price increases of between 10 and 15 percent next month, compared to August, in Greece’s day-ahead market, market officials anticipate.

The country’s electricity retailers will be announcing their nominal tariffs for September on the 20th of this month, a monthly procedure required by market rules.

It is estimated that most electricity suppliers will use better-than-expected revenues in August to subdue their tariff increases for September.

Even so, if the price-rise projection is confirmed, then electricity retailers can be expected to announce residential tariffs starting from 10 cents per KWh, including punctuality discounts, and reaching as high as 19 cents per KWh.

Power utility PPC’s pricing policy for next month will be pivotal in shaping the decisions of rival suppliers given the influence the energy company maintains over the market as a result of its dominant market share.

Also, the price levels set by PPC for September will hold significant sway in the government’s determination of whether to provide subsidies and, if so, the extent of such financial support.

DAPEEP collections pivotal in budget revenue returns boost

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A state budget revenue refunds increase for the first half has been largely attributed to amounts collected by DAPEEP, the RES market operator, provisional budget execution data has shown.

State budget revenue refunds in the first half of the year totaled 3. 389 billion euros, 586 million euros over the target, set at 2.802 billion euros, with approximately 220 million of this influx injected into the state budget via DAPEEP collections facilitated by a temporary mechanism for partial returns of day-ahead market revenues, according to the provisional state budget data.

Also, a 367 million-euro sum was secured for the Energy Transition Fund from windfall earnings returns by energy producers between October 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.

The Greek state budget recorded a primary surplus of 2.166 billion euros in the January-June 2023 period, up from a budget target for a surplus of 415 million euros and a primary deficit of 3.425 billion euros in the same period last year, the data showed.

Retail market shares steady in June, marginal loss at PPC

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Power utility PPC, the Greek retail electricity market’s dominant player, has ended June with a slightly contracted market share, down to 54.99 percent, from 55.68 percent in May, which takes the total market share held by the market’s independent suppliers to 45.01 percent from 44.32 percent, according to a latest Greek energy exchange report.

Market share figures in June remained largely settled compared to a period of greater activity in May, Heron being the prime mover. The independent supplier’s market share leapt to 10.82 percent in May from 7.76 percent in April following its supply agreement reached with Viohalco, one of Greece’s biggest electricity consumers, which became the third industrial producer to move away from PPC.

Viohalco’s retail electricity market share continued its ascent in June, to 11.30 percent, making the company the leading supplier amongst the independent players for a second consecutive month.

Mytilineos is ranked second amongst the independent suppliers with an 8.24 percent market share in June, up from 7.63 percent in May, followed by Elpedison, whose market share slipped to 5.80 percent in June from 6.28 percent in May.

NRG is next with 5.36 percent, up from 4.99 percent; followed by Watt and Volt, whose market share slipped to 4.59 percent from 5.15 percent in May. Next in the rankings, Fysiko Aerio’s market share rose marginally to 3.32 percent from 3.13 percent. Zenith’s market share remained unchanged at 2.32 percent share. Volterra gained slightly, to 2.14 percent from 2.12 percent, and Volton remained steady at 0.81 percent in May and June.

The day-ahead market’s average price for June dropped to 91.49 euros per MWh, a 13 percent reduction compared to May’s price level of 105.59 euros per MWh, the Greek energy exchange report noted.

 

Indexation clause set to remain suspended for 2 extra months

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The energy ministry appears to be receptive to a request made by a number of electricity suppliers for a short extension of emergency measures introduced to the retail electricity market during the early stages of the energy crisis.

Suppliers have called for an extension of emergency measures as an adjustment period for a return to normalized tariffs.

The ministry, energypress sources have informed, seems set to keep indexation clauses in electricity bills suspended for a further two months. This means they would be reactivated on December 1 rather than October 1, as was originally planned.

On the contrary, the ministry does not look like it will extend emergency measures that had been introduced to the wholesale electricity market, unless the energy crisis flares up again and leads to skyrocketing natural gas prices, as was the case for several months last year.

If electricity prices, greatly influenced by natural gas prices, remain steady until the end of September, then a current price cap imposed on the wholesale electricity market’s day-ahead and intraday markets will be terminated as of October 1.

DAM price collapse a major concern for RES producers

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The increased occurrence, in Greece, of day-ahead market prices reaching zero levels, or, as has been the case in other European markets, declines into negative territory, has emerged as a new threat for the financial sustainability of RES projects.

Last Sunday, Greece’s day-ahead market reached a zero-level price for eight continual hours, a result of elevated RES production, combined with subdued electricity demand and restricted exports.

Evangelos Mytilineos, president and CEO at the Mytilineos group, made reference to the impact on RES producer earnings of the crash in day-ahead market prices during the corporation’s annual shareholders’ meeting, held yesterday.

The zeroing out of wholesale prices is leading to hefty losses for RES producers with portfolios not possessing operating support contracts, or without green-energy PPAs, but, instead, participating in the market directly, Mytilieos pointed out.

Energy sector well prepared for interim government

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The ruling center-right New Democracy party, widely expected to seek a majority vote in a second round of voting seen taking place between one-and-a-half and two months from now, has left the energy sector in an orderly state with no significant pending issues requiring any immediate political decisions during the interim period, when a caretaker administration will govern the country.

Indicatively, the interim government’s energy ministry will assume stable operating frameworks, valid until the end of September, for the wholesale and retail electricity markets following pre-election extensions, by a few months, to emergency measures introduced to counter energy crisis effects.

This means that, until a new government is sworn in, a price adjustment clause for electricity tariffs will remain suspended, electricity subsidies will most likely be continued, and price caps on the wholesale market’s day-ahead and intraday markets will remain intact.

Also, the Energy Transition Fund will continue being supported by an extended mechanism recovering windfall profits earned by electricity producers.

Electricity producers disagree with the current windfall profit recovery system, implemented universally for all electricity generation technologies, an approach causing a series of distortions, noting an alternative way should be considered. The Energy Transition Fund is currently being exclusively financed by RES producers.

However, Greece, in one important pending issue, needs to renegotiate with the European Commission for a more realistic gas storage requirement. The current requirement, a 7.5 TWh quantity, planned to be stored away at Bulgarian and Italian facilities ahead of next winter, is excessive and costly.

Green aggregators hit by price cap, big non-compliance penalties

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Green aggregators, believing their balancing costs are excessive, causing cash-flow problems and creating additional cost passed on to customers, have called for intervention and revisions from power grid operator IPTO and RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy.

RES units operating under incremental support contracts have assumed full balancing responsibilities for their electricity generation since November 30, when Greece entered Europe’s cross-border intraday XBID continuous market, through coupling with Italy and Bulgaria.

However, the implementation of a cap on the day-ahead and intra-day markets has created broader risks for green aggregators, including overestimating RES generation levels.

In such an event, the overestimation’s discrepancy is initially compensated based on the clearing price of the day-ahead market, or price cap, and then priced at the balancing market’s deviation price, which is not capped and may be many times over the day-ahead market level, a financial setback for green aggregators.

New non-compliance charges introduced on December 1 as a result of the cap represent an additional problem for green aggregators as they can lead to exceptionally high penalties, reaching levels well over those of balancing costs.

Wholesale power price falls 21% in March, reshuffled retailer rankings

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The country’s day-ahead market took a further step away from the energy crisis in March, price levels falling considerably, both year-to-year and compared to the previous month, the Hellenic Energy Exchange’s monthly report has shown.

The Greek wholesale electricity market’s DAM averaged a price level of 122.76 euros per MWh in March, down by 21.4 percent compared to February, when it ended the month with an average of 156.24 euros per MWh.

Local DAM prices peaked at 272.68 euros per MWh in March, 2022, when Russia’s war on Ukraine began to impact wholesale electricity and gas markets throughout Europe, and have since fallen by 55 percent.

Despite this price de-escalation, levels remain well above pre-energy crisis levels. In March, 2021, for instance, the wholesale electricity price in Greece averaged 57.64 euros per MWh, less than half the current level.

As for the country’s energy mix, renewables were ranked the most dominant contributor for yet another month in March, contributing 35 percent. Electricity imports were sizeable in March, covering 23 percent of the energy mix, the equivalent contribution of natural gas. Lignite was ranked fourth with a 13 percent share contribution to the Greek energy mix last month, the Hellenic Energy Exchange report showed.

In the retail electricity market, power utility PPC, the dominant player, experienced a market-share contraction in March to 61.53 percent from 63 percent, a loss gained by the independent suppliers.

Heron established itself as the new market leader among the independent electricity suppliers in March, capturing a 7.53 percent share, up from 7.24 percent. Mytilineos slipped to second place with 7.47 percent, down marginally from 7.49 percent, while Elpedison followed with 6.07 percent, up from 6 percent.

The list of top ten electricity retailers in Greece was completed by NRG, capturing 5.14 percent, up from 4.85 percent; Aerio Attikis, at 3.15 percent from 2.97 percent; Watt & Volt, 2.78% (2.08%); Volterra, 2.09% (1.92%); Zenith, 2.02% (2.14%); and Volton, 0.87% (0.98%).

 

Demand-response tool to enter day-ahead, intraday markets

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The demand-response mechanism is the latest tool being prepared for entry into Greek energy exchange markets, within the next few weeks, as a move intended to contribute to the system’s balancing and proper functioning, energypress sources have informed.

Besides its basic use in the balancing market, the demand-response mechanism’s coverage will now also be extended into the energy exchange’s day-ahead and intraday markets.

The Hellenic Energy Exchange and power grid operator IPTO, the two authorities handling the procedure, have made progress on the matter.

The energy exchange has already forwarded its related proposal for necessary day-ahead market and intraday market revisions to RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, while IPTO plans to do likewise within the next few weeks.

IPTO has already made technical adjustments to its systems for the demand-response mechanism’s integration in the day-ahead market and intraday markets, while test runs are now being carried out.

Demand-response inclusion in Energy Exchange markets early March

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A demand-response mechanism is expected to be introduced to Energy Exchange markets by early March, following a consultation procedure for revisions to rules concerning the exchange’s day-ahead and intraday markets.

Completion of the consultation procedure, expected to commence within the next few days, according to energypress sources, will enable a demand-response mechanism to be applied in the day-ahead and intraday markets for the first time since Greece’s adoption of the target model.

The basic idea is to actively involve the demand-response mechanism – the consumption side – for creating economic signals that will enable better management of the energy market.

This particularly concerns distributed loads or industrial loads that will be able to participate in markets on competitive terms with all other electricity producers, while at the same time setting signals for the balancing market.

The European framework, especially the Clean Energy Package and subsequent EU regulations, envisages full demand-response participation in electricity markets. EU member states and their respective market operators and energy exchanges have been requested to take all necessary measures to make this possible.

PPC retail electricity market share at 63.3% in December

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Power utility PPC’s captured a retail electricity market share of 63.29 percent in December, followed by the Mytilineos group’s Protergia, at 7.6 percent, Heron, at 7.03 percent, and Elpedison, at 6.09 percent, a latest report published by the Hellenic Energy Exchange has shown.

Day-ahead market prices in December rose 22 percent, averaging 276 euros per MWh compared to 227 euros per MWh in November, while electricity demand increased to 4,488 GWh from 4,109 GWh, the Energy Exchange data showed.

As for December’s energy mix, natural gas-fueled electricity captured the greatest share, 37 percent, followed by renewables, at 24 percent, electricity imports, at 19 percent, lignite-fired generation, at 15 percent, and hydropower, at 3 percent.

December wholesale prices second-highest in EU

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Wholesale electricity prices in Greece ranked as the EU’s second-highest in December, reaching 276.89 euros per MWh in the day-ahead market, up considerably, both on a monthly and annual basis, while electricity demand fell, a Hellenic Energy Exchange report has shown.

This December’s wholesale price level was 21.5 percent over the November price, and 18 percent above the level recorded in December, 2021.

Greece ranked second behind the common Italian and Maltese energy market, whose December price level was 294.91 euros per MWh.

Greece’s DAM prices remained high last month as a result of the country’s usage of a month-ahead model incorporating the TTF gas index. December’s electricity prices in Greece were shaped by the end-of-November price level of the TTF gas index, which ended the month at 118.68 euros per MWh.

By contrast, most other European wholesale electricity markets benefited from a drop in gas spot prices. They fell significantly in the last ten days of December to levels of 75 euros per MWh.

Limited renewable energy contributions to the country’s energy mix, down to 23 percent in December, compared to 33 percent in November, were another factor. This decline was attributed to lower wind energy output in Greece last month. On the contrary, wind energy output in central and northern Europe increased significantly during the final days of December.

Reduced trading at the day-ahead market in December, down 19 percent on December, 2021, signaled a further reduction in electricity demand last month, the Hellenic Energy Exchange report noted.

Higher retail electricity prices expected for January

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Retail electricity prices for January, set to be announced tomorrow by suppliers, are expected to rise, pushed higher by increased wholesale prices, sources have informed.

Wholesale electricity prices have averaged approximately 300 euros per MWh on the day-ahead market since the beginning of December, up roughly 45 percent compared to June’s average of 205.86 euros per MWh for the equivalent 19-day period.

Even though electricity prices have plunged 50 percent on the energy exchange over the past six days, to 200 euros per MWh from nearly 400 euros per MWh on December 14, suppliers cannot risk subduing prices to December levels. The jittery mood at the Dutch TTF index has not left Greece’s energy exchange unaffected.

January’s electricity prices to be delivered tomorrow by the country’s suppliers – based on a recently introduced rule requiring them to announce their respective price levels for each forthcoming month by the 20th of the preceding month – are expected to range between 0.35 euros per KWh and 0.41 euros per KWh. Supplier prices in December ranged between 0.27 euros per KWh and 0.38 euros per KWh.

Finalized prices for consumers will be lowered by state subsidies offered by the government for electricity. The government is expected to engineer, through subsidies, price levels for households and businesses to between 0.15 euros per KWh and 0.17 euros per KWh.

Energy firms want DAM non-compliance fee formula reviewed

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Consultation staged by RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, on a formula determining a non-compliance fee for unlawful submission of sales orders in the day-ahead market for 2023 has prompted reaction from energy companies, fearing excessive penalties.

A formula proposed by the Energy Exchange is particularly strict, the Mytilineos group has commented, as it uses the average day-ahead market (DAM) clearing price for the day when the unlawful submission of a sale order by a production unit has taken place.

As price levels in the day-ahead market have increased significantly this year and are currently at 280 euros per MWh, the Energy Exchange’s proposed formula would lead to non-compliance charges worth hundreds of thousands of euros.

Power utility PPC, another participant in RAE’s consultation procedure, also believes the formula proposed by the Energy Exchange results in an excessive non-compliance fee. It has called for a review and implementation of tiered charges.

 

European effort for energy cost solutions well underway

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European discussion for electricity market reforms that could lead to permanent solutions for lower-cost energy by detaching the cost of electricity from natural gas is well underway.

European Commission authorities, institutions, major enterprises and other electricity market players are currently putting forward proposals until December, when Brussels is expected to issue its own proposal for consultation, as has just been noted by Mechthild Wörsdörfer, deputy director general for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy.

Discussion for longer-term reforms is planned to continue in February and March. Reforms will need to be approved by the European Parliament, as well as by the Energy Council of Ministers, in order to become binding.

The overall approach is based on a proposal forwarded by Pantelis Kapros, Professor of Energy Economics at the National Technical University of Athens, supporting the need for remuneration of renewable energy, as well as electricity production generated by other low-emission technologies, such as nuclear, to be based on actual cost through long-term agreements rather than through the day-ahead market, whose levels are determined by wholesale market prices.

According to Kapros’ proposal, wholesale market prices should be used to determine remuneration levels for fossil fuel-based energy production technologies (coal, lignite, natural gas) as well as hydropower facilities with water reserves and energy storage units.

DAM decoupling from gas prices for lower-cost electricity

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European officials have tabled at least three proposals that would decouple electricity prices from gas prices in order to provide a permanent solution resulting in lower-cost electricity.

The proposal for a split of day-ahead electricity markets, promoted by Pantelis Kapros, Professor of Energy Economics at the National Technical University of Athens, would remunerate fossil fuel, renewables, nuclear, biomass and other forms of electricity generation in different ways.

The idea has been gaining greater acceptance in Europe, while certain EU member states are already looking at technical details.

Some European officials insist that eco-friendly generation, such as renewables, should operate exclusively through bilateral contracts. Others, mainly in Germany and the UK, prefer a mandatory pool with a marginal price and even a cap when there is a scarcity of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, some officials are advocating a mixed solution entailing co-existence of bilateral contracts with an organized market for renewables, along with a pool, which would be used as a last resort.

EC windfall profits tax soon, revision to local plan possible

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Greece will not be required to make adjustments to its windfall profits tax on electricity producers now that the European Commission is preparing to implement a corresponding tax mechanism covering the entire EU, energy ministry sources have told energypress.

Brussels’ related directive notes that EU member states already implementing wholesale electricity market interventions to contain retail prices, namely Greece, Spain and Portugal, can maintain their measures, with any revisions being at their discretion, the ministry sourced added.

However, revisions to the Greek formula, influenced by details in the European model, cannot be ruled out, as government officials will examine whether partial changes can be made to improve the formula recovering electricity producer windfall profits for the country’s day-ahead market, the ministry sources added.

 

 

Energy ministry plans intraday, balancing market intervention

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The energy ministry plans to make two interventions in the intraday and balancing markets in order to rectify side effects detected in the day-ahead market.

The measures to be taken will, amongst other objectives, seek to boost trading volume and revenues in the intraday market.

The side effects, prompted by a cap implemented in the day-ahead market, first appeared July 1, the first day of a temporary mechanism for partial returns of day-ahead market revenues.

 

 

Brussels looks to combine cap on gas for power, windfall tax

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The European Commission, in search for solutions to ease the effects of the energy crisis on the EU, is likely to soon introduce a cap on gas intended for electricity generation, based on a model implemented in Spain and Portugal, as well as a windfall tax on extraordinary gains achieved by vertically integrated electricity producers, an initiative already taken by Greece.

Brussels authorities are also looking to greatly revise the structure of the target model and possibly introduce a common European funding tool, but these two plans are expected to take longer to prepare and implement.

Officials of a number of EU member states have contacted Greek authorities to enquire about details concerning the windfall tax, withholding excess revenues of electricity producers in the domestic wholesale market through a temporary mechanism that results in a partial return of day-ahead market revenues.

Member states are mostly interested to know if this mechanism has led to any side effects in Greece’s day-ahead market.

Many member state officials find the Greek model appealing as it results in an immediate disconnection of electricity prices from the price of natural gas without the need for any target model changes.

Splitting day-ahead market flawed move, expert warns

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An energy ministry proposal for a split of the day-ahead market into two entities is short-sighted, flawed, counter-productive and does not make economic sense, Dr. Alex Papalexopoulos, the architect behind Greece’s target model, has noted in an article for energypress.

As a result of a rush to eliminate CO2 emissions, investment in coal and gas-fired power plants in most regions has plummeted but investments in renewable energy sources have not been enough to fill the gap, Dr. Papalexopoulos noted, adding that strong demand and weak supply fueled the global energy crisis, which began unfolding last autumn.

Gas, coal and oil prices skyrocketed and, in addition to the climate challenge and emerging energy crisis, the war in Ukraine and its impact on natural gas supply has further exacerbated the chaotic situation in global energy markets, Dr. Papalexopoulos pointed out.

Decarbonization policies should be pursued without delay and at a faster pace, but the West needs to adopt an inclusive “all in” technology policy through which concurrent development of all technologies should be pursued, he stressed.

Amid this chaotic energy landscape, the role of wholesale energy markets is now even more crucial, while the temptation to rush big government interventions into the wholesale trade picture without the input of experts is a recipe for disaster, Dr. Papalexopoulos warned.

Splitting wholesale markets makes absolutely no economic sense as this would destroy price signals for demand-side resources and energy efficiency needed to provide system flexibility, Dr. Papalexopoulos explained, adding that such a move would reduce the liquidity of the day-ahead market.

Distorted day-ahead market prices will also create serious inconsistencies in futures markets, Dr. Papalexopoulos noted.

 

Day-ahead market split for RES, thermal units requested

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The Greek government has proposed target model structural changes, at a European level, that would split the day-ahead market into two entities, one for RES, hydropower and nuclear facilities, and another for natural gas and coal-fired power stations.

For the first of these two new day-ahead market entities, producers would forecast production quantities and be remunerated based on bilateral contracts, detached from the day-ahead market.

For the second of the two new entities, natural gas and coal-fired power station producers, covering remaining energy needs, would submit financial and volume offers based on existing rules.

The Greek proposal was presented by energy minister at an EU council meeting of energy ministers on July 26, energypress sources informed.

Preliminary talks on the Greek proposal have already been held. The European Commission plans to deliver alternative proposals for the target model’s functioning by September.

The day-ahead market determines clearing prices in the electricity market.

 

 

Physical delivery limit eased for bigger suppliers, except PPC

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RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has relaxed, as of 2022, a limit on bilateral agreements established by energy suppliers with market shares in excess of 4 percent, which restricted their physical deliveries to 20 percent of total sales, increasing this limit to 40 percent.

However, RAE has maintained the 20 percent limit for power utility PPC until the end of 2022.

RAE had imposed the 20 percent limit on bilateral agreements since the launch of the target model, before extending the measure through 2021.

Virtually all of the country’s vertically integrated energy suppliers have been subject to the restriction.

RAE, in announcing its revision of the limit, noted that new electricity markets have now been operating for a year, achieving sufficient liquidity in the day-ahead market but not in the futures market.

The authority also pointed out that single day-ahead coupling with the Italian and Bulgarian markets in December, 2020 and May, 2021, respectively, have led to satisfactory price-level convergence with southeast European markets.

Greece registers Europe’s lowest wholesale electricity price today

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Greece has registered Europe’s lowest day-ahead market price today, helped by greater RES contributions that have lowered the wholesale electricity price by 57.44 euros per MWh in a day, to 197.24 euros per MWh.

Elsewhere in Europe, wholesale price levels for today are upwards of 250 euros per MWh, while in some countries, the level greatly exceeds 300 euros per MWh, headed by France, where the wholesale price is 329.27 euros per MWh.

Renewable energy units represent 31.13 percent of the energy mix in Greece today, offering a total capacity of 61.5 GWh, just below the level of natural gas, the top contributor, with a 35.62 percent share of the energy mix, or 70.4 GWh.

The country’s hydropower generation is also significantly up today, capturing a 16.5 percent share of the energy mix, or 32.6 GWh, well over usual recent levels of less than 10 percent, as a result of heavy rainfall over the past few days that filled hydropower reservoirs.

The price gap between Greece and other European markets has prompted an increase in electricity exports today to a level of 31.2 GWh. Imports were restricted to 3.2 percent of the energy mix, or 6.3 GWh.

Bulgaria power imports lower wholesale price, down 12.28%

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Wholesale electricity prices in the Greek energy exchange’s day-ahead market have plunged by 12.28 percent, driven down by electricity imports from Bulgaria, following a continual price surge over five consecutive days.

Even so, Greece’s wholesale electricity prices levels are the third highest in Europe. Day-ahead market transactions in today’s day-ahead market will average 250.22 euros per MWh, down from 285.24 euros per MWh a day earlier.

Significant price reductions were also registered throughout Europe, suggesting that a de-escalation process could now be underway following alarm in markets prompted by a sharp drop in temperatures in central and western Europe, as well as windless conditions that restricted wind energy production.

Winds have now lifted, offering increased wind energy contributions to the EU energy mix, which has led to big price reductions in day-ahead markets. Wholesale electricity prices in Belgium and Germany fell by 10 and 22 percent, respectively, and dropped nearly 9 percent in France and by more than 12 percent in Italy.

The plunge in Bulgaria reached 22 percent to 217.25 euros per MWh. This sharp drop in the neighboring market has helped reduce the overall cost of Greece’s energy mix as a result of lower-cost electricity imports from Bulgaria.

For today’s trading, electricity imports constitute 13.42 percent of Greece’s energy mix, renewable energy accounts for 28.31 percent, and natural gas-fueled generation represents 47.24 percent of the mix.

 

 

Electricity suppliers reshaping pricing policies, wholesale cost up to new high

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The ongoing surge in wholesale electricity prices, now over 204 euros per MWh, a new record level, has astonished even the most seasoned company managers.

“The day-ahead market price surge to such levels has prompted great uncertainty as to what lies ahead,” one highly ranked official at a vertically integrated energy group told energypress

Responding to the wholesale market’s latest record-breaking level, an official at another energy group active in production and supply told energypress that suppliers are now recalculating their pricing policies from scratch.

Without a doubt, the electricity supply market has entered unchartered territory as the upward trajectory in prices, sparked by an unfavorable combination in international markets, appears to be unstoppable.

Company officials have admitted they have no choice but to pass on the majority of the price increase to their customers.

Some companies are cutting back on big discount offers extended to attract customers.

 

 

 

Greece tops August wholesale electricity price list in Europe

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Greece’s wholesale electricity market was rated Europe’s most expensive in August, the country’s day-ahead market averaging a level of 121.72 euros per MWh for the month, according to Energylive data.

Romania followed with an average of 112. 7 euros per MWh, while Italy was ranked third with a day-ahead market average of 112.4 euros per MWh in August. They were followed by: Bulgaria (111.55 euros per MWh); Serbia (109.65 euros per MWh); Hungary (109.02 euros per MWh); and Portugal (105.99 euros per MWh). France recorded Europe’s lowest day-ahead market average in August, 77.3 euros per MWh.

The elevated wholesale electricity market levels closing off August, following various factors that prompted a surge throughout the summer, confirm that de-escalation remains beyond reach at present.

Analysts and market officials, at European and national levels, have warned wholesale electricity price levels will be extremely high in autumn and winter.

Yesterday’s energy exchange day-ahead market prices for today average 123.43 euros per MWh, a 5.52 percent drop compared to the previous day.

August day-ahead market prices in Greece peaked at 142.00 euros per MWh, while the lowest level recorded for the month was 100.56 euros per MWh.