The average competitive purchase price of electric power in the wholesale power market in European Russia and the Urals (the first price zone) grew by 31.1% to 841.18 roubles per MWh within one week (from 6 to 12 August), according to an analytical report of the non-profit-making partnership Trading System Administrator (TSA). Several factors at once contributed to the price growth, TSA told Interfax: scheduled repairs of generating equipment and the use by power plants of gas in excess of their quotas, which is more expensive. During the week, 12.009 million MWh was purchased in the wholesale power market in European Russia and the Urals (the first price zone), up 0.58% on the previous week. Bilateral regulated contracts accounted for 10.362 million MWh. In the competitive market of the first price zone, 0.25% less electric power (1.524 million MWh) was purchased. The spot market accounted for 12.7% of total trade in the first price zone as of the end of the week. During the week, 3.073 million MWh was purchased in the wholesale power market in Siberia (the second price zone), down 0.1% on the previous week. Bilateral regulated contracts accounted for 2.546 million MWh. The amount of electric power purchased at competitive prices continues to go down in the Siberian wholesale power market: during the week (from 6 to 12 August) it decreased by another 14.64% to 165,433 MWh. "This is not related to the strategy of the participants or any external factors in any way. These are specifics of the formation of the annual balance of the Federal Tariff Service," Sergei Pikin, director of the Energy Development Foundation, explained to Interfax. The average competitive purchase price of electric power in Siberia decreased to 393.96 roubles per MWh, by 14.1% as compared with the previous week. The spot market accounted for 5.38% of total trade as of the end of the week. Electric power in the wholesale market of the Russian Federation is sold mostly under regulated bilateral contracts. At free prices it can only be purchased in the spot market where contracts are concluded every hour and power is supplied on the next day. |
