Prices peak in the evening

Last week, there was little renewable generation except on Tuesday. Wind generation was low, temperatures rose, and solar production increased. Hourly spot prices were particularly high during the evening peaks. On Monday and Thursday evenings, prices exceeded 200 €/MWh, even though the variable costs of gas and coal power plants were much lower, between 80 and 90 €/MWh. This was mainly due to the steep drop in prices during the afternoon hours when many conventional power plants either stopped operating after the morning peak or did not run at all. Additionally, power plants became less efficient due to the high temperatures, limiting the total supply. The average Dutch power price last week was 71.2 €/MWh, 4 euros higher than the previous week. Gas prices remained relatively stable, with the August contract rising by half a euro at the end of the workweek, closing at 32.2 €/MWh. CO2 prices fell by 3 euros to 66.3 €/EUA. Dutch power contracts for the coming months decreased slightly. August fell by 1 euro, and September fell by 2 euros, settling at 67.5 and 76.3 €/MWh, respectively.

For 2025, CO2 prices saw the most movement. The December ’25 contract fell by 3 euros to 68.9 €/EUA. Conversely, coal prices increased slightly. The coal price for 2025 stood at 101.8 €/Ton at the end of last week. Gas prices dropped by 20 cents, closing at 36.7 €/MWh. Dutch power prices fell by one and a half euros to 84.7 €/MWh.

Weekly changes