UK Coal Generation Hits 14-Month High in March

The UK coal-fired fired generation hit a 14-month high of 3.9 TWh in March, the highest since since January 2017, when output stood at 4.72 TWh, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics.

UK coal fired output at 3.9 TWh

Gas-fired output steady at 10.30 TWh

According to Enappsys, which monitors the energy market, coal utilization in the first quarter of 2017 was concerted in the start of the period, while activity this year was focused towards the end of February and the start of March, when gas prices skyrocketed on the back of cold weather.

On March 1, demand reached its highest level this this winter, according to Platts Analytics.

UK day-ahead prices hit the highest level seen since November, 2016, as National Grid issued a gas deficit warning early on March 1.

Day-ahead baseload was at GBP98/MWh ($138/MWh), while peakload hit GBP105/MWh.

The gas-fired generation remained steady month-on-month to 10.30 TWh in March. The nuclear output hit the highest seen this year at 5.3 TWh in March -- this was the highest since October 2017, when nuclear output was at 5.6 TWh.

Wind output remained nearly steady in March at 3.7 GW, when compared with February's 3.6 TWh.