Monday, 13 July 2026
UK power elevated; 3rd summer margin alert as heatwave kills wind & France cuts nuclear
Prices rising sharply2027 wholesale: £84.48/MWh
Energy prices are noticeably higher than usual right now, mainly because it has been very hot and still across the UK — wind turbines are barely turning and France has had to cut back its power stations due to the heat, so there is less electricity available just when more people are using fans and air conditioning. We expect prices to stay high or edge even higher over the next week or so until the weather breaks, which forecasters think could happen around 17 July.
What's affecting prices
- •Wind turbines barely turning — wind made up less than 7% of UK electricity on 10 July
- •Record summer heat is pushing up demand for fans and air conditioning
- •France has cut back its power stations due to river water being too hot to cool reactors, leaving less electricity available for the UK to import
- •Gas prices up sharply due to Middle East conflict threatening fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz
- •Grid operator NESO has issued three unprecedented summer shortage warnings — grid margins are historically tight for this time of year
Wholesale pricing based on ICE forward settlements; non-commodity charges from NESO, LCCC, Ofgem and DNO publications. Indicative only — not financial advice.