LONDON, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- European power prices rebounded in March from lows seen in February, but remain significantly below March 2014 levels as reduced feedstock and CO2 costs added bearishness to a healthy supply picture, according to data released by Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets.

Continental European day-ahead prices climbed 3.4% to €25.83 per megawatt hour (MWh) in March compared to February. On a year-over-year basis, however, the index was down 32.8%.

German wind power is firmly entrenched as the key fundamental in near-term European continental power price formation. In a slightly colder, calmer March, a dip in wind output prompted the average day-ahead power price in Germany to rise 8% to €24.17/MWh. However, year over year, the monthly average price was down 22% compared to the March 2015 level of €30.96/MW.

In terms of natural gas, the European market continued to trade sideways through March, before weakening in early April. A healthy supply picture pushed prices downwards towards the Continental coal switching price - at which point natural gas becomes competitive with coal in power generation.

Platts' regional analysis of European power and gas markets showed the following:

    --  Germany: wind output in March was barely more than half of February's
        record, and down 19% year over year. Solar lagged last year's output.
        March was the first month since October 2015 to see wind output dip
        below 10 terawatt hours (TWh). On average, wind turbines generated 8.7
        GW each hour in March, down from 15.2 GW in February.

    --  France: day-ahead baseload power averaged €26.93/MWh in March, up 3%
        on February as temperatures fell below seasonal norms, prompting
        electric heat demand. Year over year, however, French prompt prices were
        down nearly 40%, reflecting the steep decline in power-related commodity
        costs.

    --  U.K. power: day-ahead power edged up 2% to £33.89/MWh in March compared
        to February, but was down 16% in comparison to March 2015. A strong
        uptick in gas-fired power generation amid reduced wind generation was
        behind the modest strengthening, which was offset by an early Easter
        holiday period.

    --  U.K. gas: National Balancing Point (NBP) day-ahead gas prices were in
        line with February levels, but remained substantially lower from a
        longer-term perspective. They were down 37.36% on a 12-month basis, on
        the back of continued bearish fundamentals of ample supply and weak oil
        prices. Supply to the UK increased from both Norway and the Netherlands.

    --  Dutch gas: on the TTF, continental Europe's most heavily traded gas hub,
        spot gas prices averaged €12.243/MWh through March, down 1.3% from
        February and a full 44% lower on a year-over-year basis. Weather was
        generally a bearish factor as it was for the whole winter season, with
        temperatures only rarely providing scope for price upside.

As of April 6, several factors helped gas storage operators to inject gas into stores at a stronger-than-anticipated rate, reducing the 'sink' available to the market later this year when liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries are expected to ramp up. Such factors included: the lack of a significant reduction in Russian natural gas flows into northwest Europe; a sharp turn up in Algerian flows to Italy; and, a cut in exports from west Europe to Ukraine.

                           Platts Continental Europe and U.K. Day-Ahead Monthly Averages

                                                          Mar-16                     Feb-16       Mar-15

    CONTI* (EUR/MWh)                                                25.83                   24.97        38.45

    TTF (EUR/MWh)                                                   12.24                   12.40        21.86

    U.K. Power (BPS/MWh)                                            33.89                   33.23        40.28

    U.K. Gas (pence/therm)                                          29.57                   29.54        47.20

    Source: Platts

NOTE: All figures are monthly averages of daily day-ahead contract prices as assessed by Platts.

For more information on electric power or the methodology used by Platts in its power assessments, visit the Platts website www.platts.com.

* The Platts CONTI is a demand-weighted baseload average of day-ahead contracts assessed in Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Platts U.K. assessments reflect day-ahead contracts assessed for firm delivery of power on the high voltage network of England, Wales and Scotland, and at the National Balancing Point (NBP) for gas. The Platts assessments reflect prices as determined between buyer and seller in the open physical markets.

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SOURCE: Platts