Sectors

Regions

Sections

Forecasts & Analysis

Market commentary

Reference & Archive

Pipelines, Storage & Power

Profitability of Europe’s gas power plants declines in Q1

The profitability of gas- and coal-fired generation further declined in many EU countries in Q1, increasing the share of renewables and nuclear in the power mix The profitability of gas- and coal-fired generation further declined in many EU countries in Q1, increasing the share of renewables and nuclear in the power mix.
By Andreas Walstad 5 July 2018 0 31621
A German gas-fired power plant A gas-fired power plant in Germany. (E.On)

The share of nuclear power and renewables in Europe’s electricity mix increased on an annual basis in Q1 2018, partly because the profitability of gas- and coal-fired plants is declining, the European Commission said in its two quarterly gas and power reports released this week. 

Lower wholesale power prices, coupled with higher carbon prices under the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), gave renewables and nuclear a competitive advantage over gas- and coal-fired generation. Although higher carbon prices benefit gas-fired power...