2008-11-18

Financial crises effects the Nordic electricity market prices

During late summer global market prices for oil and coal turned down after a lengthy increase. Also the prices for emission allowances have decreased during the autumn. This decrease has reflected to the Nordic electricity wholesale market prices. On the other hand, higher price level in the Continental Europe and weakened hydro reservoir situation, have eased off this effect.

– Recent development has shown how the Nordic market is dependent on the global financial development. The situation on the market is showing some nervousness. There are many factors influencing the future development, anything from global financial situation to the coldness of winter days. Even in this situation we can experience very high prices on cold winter days, comments Lotta Forssell, Vice President Communication from Fortum's Power Generation.

– In Finland consumer prices are increasing after the wholesale price increase last summer. High fluctuations in wholesale prices put pressure on electricity sales companies to react faster in consumer pricing. Fortum is examining new pricing models for its consumer contracts, aiming at increasing the predictability and clarify, explains customer manager Timo Liiri from Fortum Markets.

Fortum publishes a topical energy market review two to four times a year. Topics covered in the review include for example fuel price development, electricity price development on the Nordic power market and factors influencing the development.

Summary of the energy market review 18 November 2008:
– The global economic slow-down has had an impact on the fuel and electricity prices and Fortum's way of analysing the energy situation. The economic slow-down will also have an impact on the global energy demand - at least on a short term.
– Fuel prices increased during 2007 and the increase continued even more dramatically the first half of 2008. Since mid July the fuel prices have decreased dramatically but are still above the price level of early 2007.
– After a steep increase Nordic wholesale electricity prices have decreased during the past two months. The future price quotations are now on the same level as before summer being around 50 €/MWh for the next year.
– The Nordic water reservoirs are slightly below the long term average, and there is less snow compared to historical levels.
– Higher continental prices and increased transmission connections have resulted in increased exports from Nordic to Continental Europe where the prices are 15–25 €/MWh higher compared to Nordic.
– Consumer prices in Finland have not fully reflected to wholesale price increase and therefore the consumer price levels are in general below the wholesale prices.

Information about the company: Fortum Oyj