French spot is a clear winner over surging wind power

European prompt electricity prices fell on Friday as more sunshine and gusty winds were predicted and nuclear'supply increased amid icy weather conditions.

Winter weather in Europe is severe, disrupting air, rail and road traffic, as well as some business operations.

According to LSEG Research, Germany's residual loads will decrease in the days ahead, resulting in a lower demand for thermal plants.

LSEG data show that French day-ahead basisload was 70 euros per megawatt at 0925 GMT. This is down 36.8% compared to the close.

After a close of 139?euros/MWh, the equivalent German contract was not traded.

LSEG data shows that the German wind power output on Friday is expected to jump to 47.5 gigawatts, up from 18.2 GW on Thursday, while French wind power should rise to 19.6 GW on Friday from 13.5 GW.

The combined solar supply of the two countries is expected to increase by 900 MW per day.

The availability of French nuclear energy was four percentage points greater overnight, at 92% installed capacity.

The power demand in Germany is expected to rise by?3.8 GW over the next day to reach 66.3 GW.

France's demand for electricity, which was 73.0GW on Thursday, due to its heavy reliance on electric heating, is expected to drop to 70.0GW on Friday.

The German baseload for the year ahead was down 0.9%, at 82.4 Euro/MWh.

The French position for the year ahead was?0.5% lower at 48.5 euros/MWh.

The benchmark contract on the European carbon market fell 0.7%, to 87.48 Euros per metric ton.

Agora Energiewende, a think tank for energy, said that Germany's greenhouse gases emissions will only fall slightly by 2025 as the climate balance is affected by weak progress on decarbonising transport and buildings.

The country's emissions were 640 million tons, a drop of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Vera Eckert is the reporter. Mark Potter edited the article.

(source: Reuters)