German prompt power prices eased Friday with further confirmation of the first storm system of the autumn approaching, pushing wind power output above average levels from Saturday onwards for much of next week, which trades more than 30% below this week's closing level last Friday, according to sources.
Baseload power for weekend delivery was last heard OTC at Eur25/MWh, down Eur1.50 from Thursday's close and Eur5.75 below last weekend's price, at the lowest delivery price since early September, Platts data shows.
Saturday baseload was last heard at Eur29.25/MWh with Epex Spot settling in line with OTC at Eur29.45/MWh. Sunday baseload was last heard OTC before midday local time at Eur21/MWh after trading as low as Eur13/MWh earlier this week amid volatility in the daily wind forecast.
Baseload power for Monday delivery was last heard at Eur26/MWh, down Eur11.70 from Friday's close on Thursday with Monday peakload almost Eur10 lower at Eur33.60/MWh.
On average, wind power output during baseload hours was forecast to rise to 11 GW this weekend, rising above 20 GW by Monday with possibly peaking just above 30 GW Tuesday, before easing to a still above average range between 10 GW to 15 GW, according to spotrenewables.com's seven-day outlook.
Strong changes to the wind forecast between weather runs already led to volatile trading on the prompt with Tuesday now currently trading below Eur20/MWh baseload, more than Eur6/MWh below the weekend contract, which rebounded on a reduced wind forecast for Sunday.
Regional demand next week will also be reduced due to Armistice Day next Wednesday -- a public holiday in France and Belgium -- and mild weather stretching deep into November, according to sources.
Solar output was forecast to edge lower over coming days, as expected for this time of the year, with only Sunday's forecast showing levels above 4 GW during peakload hours, according to spotrenewables.com.
Conventional plant availability for Saturday was little changed at above 43 GW for nuclear, lignite and hard-coal, EEX transparency data showed, but the strong wind is set to first push coal-fired power plants out of the merit order.
There was little change on the curve with December baseload up just 5 euro cent at Eur30.20/MWh, while the Cal also added 5 euro cent on the day to Eur29.35/MWh.
