The electricity market has not shown any extreme outliers in recent days. The weather is currently favorable to Europe, according to various analysts. In addition to green energy, the discussion about nuclear energy is back. Belgium wants to keep the nuclear power plants open longer, while Ukraine criticizes the role of the Russian Rosatom.
The electricity price followed the usual pattern in recent days. Last week the Epex Spot Dayahead peaked at €145,86 per MWh. On Sunday January 8, the price dropped slightly and amounted to €68,71 per MWh. This week the price is fluctuating around €130 per MWh. Relatively mild weather and sufficient supply of electricity generated by wind turbines puts pressure on the price of electricity. The downward trend on the gas market also has an impact on the electricity market.
The Netherlands was a net exporter of electricity to Germany in 2022. This is evident from the figures from BDEW, the German trade association of utilities. In total, Germany imported 2,4 TWh of electricity. For comparison, the Netherlands imported 2021 TWh from Germany in 1,4. Our eastern neighbors are net importers of electricity on the European market, with Sweden, Norway and Denmark as the main suppliers. France was a net exporter to Germany in 2020 and 2021, but due to the problems with nuclear power plants, France imported more power last year than it exported.
Open longer
Nuclear energy is a much discussed topic on the electricity market. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced on Monday that the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors will remain open for ten years longer. Belgium had plans to close all nuclear reactors by 2025 and switch to gas-fired power stations. The war in Ukraine has made those plans unfeasible. De Croo has reversed the decision to phase out nuclear energy and announced on Monday that keeping the two nuclear reactors open is necessary to guarantee security of supply. The Belgian grid operator previously warned that closing all nuclear power stations could lead to a significant energy shortage in the winter of 2026/27.
Ukraine is counting on the EU to also take measures against the Russian nuclear industry in the next round of sanctions. Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal informed European Commissioner Frans Timmermans of this yesterday during his visit to Kiev. So far, Rosatom, which supplies fuel to several EU member states, has been left out of the European sanctions packages. Both leaders agree that Ukraine's reconstruction must be based on green principles.