POWER
UK wind generation plummeted to its lowest level since 2015 at around 0.22GW, or about 1% of the UK power supply on 22 January, triggering a surge in intraday power prices above £600/MWh as reliance shifted to costlier gas-fired power, according to data from Neso, cited by Bloomberg.
- This is far below the average of 10GW daily production, according to the national energy system operator (Neso).
- The UK relied heavily on imports from France, Norway, Belgium, and Denmark, which collectively supplied over 10% of its electricity, according to the Telegraph.
- Ageing gas-fired power stations generated more than 60% of the UK’s electricity.
- Additionally, Neso activated expensive backup generation, with Connahs Quay 2 power station receiving £745/MWh compared to a typical price of £100.
- and power plants owned by Vitol Group and Uniper SE in the UK secured higher prices in the balancing market due to still weather, which left wind farms idle, according to Bloomberg.
- These plants planned to shut off and later offered to resume operations at elevated prices, taking advantage of tight market conditions.
- Adopting this approach, operators aim to maximise profitability while running for fewer hours.
- While daytime electricity demand in winter averages around 35GW, wind output for most of Wednesday morning was around 0.22W.
- Looking ahead, wind is expected at 10.81GW, or a 38% load factor on Thursday before rising to 14.55GW, or 51% load factor on Friday amid the arrival of Storm Eowyn with winds up to 100mph on that day.
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