Introduction

The growing role of wholesale traded energy markets across Europe creates a greater need for players throughout the value chain to be aware of the latest market movements and developments. From the wellhead or power station gate to the end-user, volatility in the spot and forward price of power and gas is creating an increasingly challenging environment for all market participants.

Scope of this research

• An examination of the wholesale gas price trends in Europe's three key markets - the UK NBP, the Zeebrugge Hub and the Dutch TTF.
• An assessment of traded power prices in the UK, Belgian, Dutch, German and French wholesale power markets.
• Insight and analysis into the impact of wholesale markets on the wholesale / retail price interface.

Research and analysis highlights

Q1 sees prices fall further as gas demand contraction takes immediate effect on the far end of the curve

Price spreads are a fundamental tool in assessing market sentiment in addition to supply and demand factors

Datamonitor's gas price outlook is bearish with the effects of demand contraction going out to 2013

Key reasons to purchase this research

• Establish the current level of wholesale and retail energy prices and the fundamental drivers behind movements in the traded value of gas and power.
• Understand how wholesale pricing impacts different facets of the value chain, identifying the potential to limit risk through hedging strategies.
• Forecast future developments in the traded price of gas and power in order to successfully take advantage of arbitrage opportunities.