Platts launches Japan thermal coal baseload dark spread calculations

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has launched daily thermal coal baseload dark spread calculations for Japan effective Jan. 2.

The dark spread is calculated as the difference of the Platts Northeast Asian Thermal coal, or NEAT, spot price assessment (JKTCA00) versus the month ahead Japanese power futures (Tokyo, baseload) settlement price on that day published by the European Energy Exchange.

The dark spread calculations will provide the market with greater insights into margins for coal-fired power plants in Japan and gas-to-coal switching.

The dark spread is published in $/MMBtu, Yen/kWh and $/MWh, and will take into account an average 35% power plant efficiency.

The calculations will be published on a daily basis in Coal Trader International and fixed page GCI0410.

Please send all comments, feedback and questions to coal@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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