Electricity
Ercot's Doggett on keeping the lights on in Texas
Despite worries about a shortfall in generation capacity, Trip Doggett, president and chief executive of Ercot, is proud that Texas has the liveliest deregulated power market in the US. He speaks to Alexander Osipovich
US power hedging suffers from low prices
Low power prices have dented the need for electricity producers and consumers to hedge with derivatives, while regulatory reform is also making life difficult for market-makers. But market participants are optimistic the trend could be reversed. Pauline…
US power traders expect rebound in hedging activity
Power hedging activity could increase with rising prices and greater regional variation across the US
Renewables push proves challenging for Germany
An abundance of renewables capacity in Germany has caused extreme price movements, pushing volatility and trading activity increasingly towards short-term markets – forcing physical and financial market players to rethink their approach to electricity…
South Korean power outage fears loom high on agenda
A lack of investment in generation capacity and safety-related nuclear shutdowns left South Korea facing warnings of severe power shortages over the past year. That is putting investment in energy infrastructure and security of supply high on the…
NWE power market coupling struck by delays
The European Union’s biggest power market coupling project to date has been beset by delays and will not now be be completed before the end of 2013. What is behind the setbacks and what do they mean for continuing efforts to forge a pan-European…
Threat of downgrade hangs over North American power firms
Low natural gas prices, weak power demand and rising costs put pressure on credit ratings
Influx into Italian electricity
Interest in Italian power trading has picked up lately, according to market participants. Nonetheless, the market remains dogged by challenges, including a lack of exchange liquidity and excess supply in the midst of an economic slump. Gillian Carr…
As banks retreat who will dominate US power trading?
Squeezed by the Volcker rule and Basel III, banks have been pulling back from US electricity markets. Who will become the new power-trading champions, and should hedgers be worried about liquidity? Alexander Osipovich reports
Energy Risk Europe 2012: EU power market integration faces next set of hurdles
The next stages of creating an integrated European electricity market should focus on the intra-day market, direct current cables and preparing trading strategies post-2014, say panellists at Energy Risk Europe
A Texas-sized challenge
Demand response could help resolve Texas’ shortage of generation capacity, but how should the Lone Star state retool its power markets to bring about more demand-side participation? The answer will have nationwide implications, Alexander Osipovich finds
European power market: CWE's next challenges
The central-western European market is at the heart of power trading in Europe and is something of a blueprint for plans to create a single European electricity market. With market coupling progressing well, other challenges now need to be addressed,…
Duke-Progress deal a win for alliances, nuclear power
The megamerger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy paves the way for more consolidation of US utilities and could boost the ‘nuclear renaissance’. Alexander Osipovich reports
Report urges boosting Ercot price cap, restructuring Texas power market
A report commissioned by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) has recommended that the state increase its maximum peak power price in order to spur investment in new generation capacity and lower the risk of blackouts
Nordic power outlook
While it has traditionally been a large, stable and liquid power market, the Nordic region has begun initiating change as it prepares for a future with less trading activity from financial players, growing volatility due to renewables and increased…
European Electricity House of the Year: GDF Suez Trading
Following a fruitful first year of operation, GDF Suez Trading has been selected as the winner of this year’s European Electricity House of the Year award due to its innovative hedging and trading solutions, which have helped provide much-needed market…
US Electricity House of the Year: EDF Trading
EDF Trading wins our US Electricity House of the Year award for scoring a series of notable achievements in the US power market
Power and utilities M&A declines in volume but grows in value: Ernst & Young
Slow global economic recovery led to weak M&A activity in the global power and utilities sector in the first quarter of 2012, but deal value increased almost 20% from the previous quarter
Research report outlines scope for Saarc power trading
Power trading across the Indian subcontinent is set to grow in size and interconnectivity, according to a GBI Research report
European power market series: Iberia
Liquidity in the Iberian power market has been on the rise thanks to market coupling and a move away from fixed tariffs, but uncertainty around government intervention and a lack of interconnection with the rest of Europe remain huge obstacles to…
German power market outlook
This month marks the one-year anniversary of Germany announcing its intention to abandon nuclear power. Since then a number of fundamental shifts have occurred in the German power market, which are expected to impact prices during the year. Jay Maroo…
Fragmentation hindering Canada’s electricity market
Poor integration and lack of political collaboration are preventing the Canadian electricity markets from achieving full efficiency, Gillian Carr reports