POWER: UK Day Ahead Drops Sharply As Wind Climbs, Likely to Rebound on 4 June

Jun-02 08:40

UK spot prices dropped sharply as wind output is expected to climb by around 8GW on the day, offsetting just a slight increase in power demand owing to cooler temps. However, day ahead costs are likely to rebound for 4 June as wind is anticipated to fall by around 6GW, while demand will continue to inch up.

  • The UK day-ahead spot settled at £27.75/MWh from £70.57/MWh on the previous day.
  • Wind output in the UK is forecast at 18.54GW during base load on Tuesday, or a 63% load factor, up from 10.36GW on Monday, according to SpotRenewables.
  • Wind will then be at 12.49GW, or a 43% load factor on 4 June (Wed), with wind then at a 35% load factor on 5 June (Thur).
  • Average temperatures in London are forecast to drop to 15.8C on Tuesday from 16C on Monday and above the seasonal average of around 14.6C.
  • Additionally, mean temperatures in London have been revised higher over 2-7 June by as much as 1C and are expected to be mostly above the 30-year norm until 16 June – with temps reaching as high as 19.1C on 16 June.
  • Power demand in the UK is forecast to rise to 28.44GW on Tuesday from 27.6GW on Monday, according to Bloomberg.
  • Demand will then be at 28.65GW on 4 June before rising to 28.81GW on 5 June.
  • UK LNG imports have been nominated at 5.09 mcm/d compared to the five-day flow average of 6.64mcm/d, while gas demand -including power – is forecast at 118.31mcm, below the five-year average of 179.08mcm/d.
  • The 710 MW Didcot B CCGT power plant is still anticipated to return to the grid on 31 August.
  • Additionally, no new planned or unplanned nuclear works over the last 24Hrs have been announced.

Historical bullets

USDCAD TECHS: Hits Bear Trigger, New Cycle Low

May-02 20:00
  • RES 4: 1.4415 High Apr 1
  • RES 3: 1.4296 High Apr 7
  • RES 2: 1.4087 50-day EMA
  • RES 1: 1.3906/3935 High Apr 17 / 20-day EMA 
  • PRICE: 1.3793 @ 17:00 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 1.3760 Low Apr 21 and the bear trigger
  • SUP 2: 1.3744 76.4% retracement of Sep 25 ‘24 - Feb 3 bull run
  • SUP 3: 1.3696 Low Oct 10 2024
  • SUP 4: 1.3643 Low Oct 9 ‘24 

The trend set-up in USDCAD deteriorated further Friday, with prices slipping through the bear trigger to narrow the gap with next support. The fresh cycle low reinforces the bear cycle and signals scope for a continuation near-term. Potential is seen for a move towards 1.3744, a Fibonacci retracement. Moving average studies are in a bear mode position, highlighting a dominant downtrend. First resistance to watch is 1.3943, the 20-day EMA.  

AUDUSD TECHS: Consolidation Phase

May-02 19:30
  • RES 4: 0.6550 61.8% retracement of the Sep 30 ‘24 - Apr 9 bear leg  
  • RES 3: 0.6528 High Nov 29 ‘24
  • RES 2: 0.6471 High Dec 9 ‘24
  • RES 1: 0.6470 High May 2
  • PRICE: 0.6445 @ 16:59 BST May 2
  • SUP 1: 0.6344/6316 Low Apr 24 / 50-day EMA  
  • SUP 2: 0.6181 Low Apr 11  
  • SUP 3: 0.6116 Low Apr 10 
  • SUP 4: 0.5915 Low Apr 9 and key support  

AUDUSD remains inside a consolidation phase, having traded either side of the 0.6400 level for 10 consecutive sessions. The underlying trend remains bullish and the pair is trading close to recent highs. Price has recently breached a key resistance at 0.6409, the Dec 9 ‘24 high. This breach reinforces bullish conditions and signals scope for a continuation higher near-term. Sights are on 0.6471 next, the Dec 9 2024 high. Initial key support to monitor is 0.6316, the 50-day EMA. A clear break of this EMA would be a concern for bulls.

US TSYS: Rates Retreat, Sentiment Improved Though Trade Risk Remains

May-02 19:24
  • Treasuries look to finish near late Friday session lows after trading firmer on the open, higher than expected Nonfarm payrolls at 177k (sa, cons 138k) of which private contributed 167k (sa, cons 125k) triggered the early reversal.
  • However, two-month revisions of -58k offset the 39k beat for nonfarm payrolls, with a similar story for private (a 42k surprise vs -48k two-month revision).
  • Stocks are back near four week highs - pre-"Liberation Day" levels as hopes of some trade deal being made improved sentiment.
  • The Wall Street Journal reports that "Beijing is considering ways to address the Trump administration’s gripes over China’s role in the fentanyl trade... potentially offering an off-ramp from hostilities to allow for trade talks to start." The Journal notes that "discussions remain fluid" and China "would like to see some softening of stance from President Trump".
  • Currently, the Jun'25 10Y contract trades -20 at 111-07.5 vs 111-02 low -- initial technical support (50-dma) followed by 110-16.5/109-08 (Low Apr 22 / 11 and the bear trigger). Curves bear flattened, 2s10s -3.480 at 48.002, 5s30s -4.911 at 86.807.