19 Feb 2024 | 14:05 UTC

UK net power imports edge down in week 7; wind generation falls

Highlights

UK average net weekly imports remain at 4.4 GW

Total UK gas-fired generation inches up to 9.7 GW

Total UK wind generation down 9%

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The UK's total net power imports inched down in the week ended Feb. 18 (week 7) to an average of 4.4 GW, while total UK wind generation edged down to 10.2 GW, according to Balancing Mechanism Reporting Service data released Feb. 19.

The UK's net imports from France averaged 2.3 GW, falling 7% on the week, while net imports from Norway and Denmark saw increases of 39% and 34%, respectively.

In contrast, net exports to both Ireland and Northern Ireland, increased to 0.3 GW each, up 9% and 21% respectively. Net imports from Belgium fell 15% to 0.7 GW, highest decline on the week, showed BMRS data.

Gas-fired generation across the UK inched up to 9.7 GW. Meanwhile, total wind generation fell 9% on the week to 10.2 GW.

Coal burn in the UK more than halved, down to 0.3 GW from 0.6 GW a week earlier. Nuclear power output saw a small rise, reaching 3.8 GW, while hydro power generation fell 14% to 0.7 GW in week 7.

The UK day-ahead baseload power price averaged GBP63.06/MWh in Week 7, down almost 4% week on week, showed data from S&P Global Commodity Insights.

UK Power Generation

Average (GW) 12-Jan to 18-Jan 05-Jan to 11-Feb 29-Jan to 04-Feb 15-Jan to 21-Jan
Gas 9.7 9.6 7.4 6.8
Coal 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.3
Nuclear 3.8 3.7 3.7 2.9
Total Wind 10.2 11.2 14.6 16.5
Pump Storage 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3
Hydro (Non Pump Storage) 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8
OCGT 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3
Biomass 2.1 2.6 2.4 1.9
Net Imports/Exports 4.4 4.4 3.3 4.3
BORDER FLOWS
France (IFR+IFA2+ElecLink) 2.3 2.4 1.2 2.1
Northern Ireland (Moyle) -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.0
Netherlands (BritNed) 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.1
Ireland (East-West) -0.3 -0.3 -0.2 0.0
Belgium (Nemo Link) 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.5
Norway (North Sea Link) 1.1 0.8 1.1 1.0
Denmark (Viking Link) 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.8

Source: BMRS