Thursday, 13 August 2026
UK power surges 12%+ above monthly norm — eclipse, heatwave & LNG fears collide
Prices rising sharply2027 wholesale: £84.48/MWh
Energy prices are noticeably higher than usual right now, mainly because the UK had a heatwave with very little wind, a rare solar eclipse knocked out solar power for about two hours yesterday evening, and global gas supplies are tight because of ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Prices may ease slightly over the next week or two if cooler, windier weather arrives, but the risk of another jump is real if the Middle East situation does not improve before winter.
What's affecting prices
- •Heatwave across England and Wales — temperatures 3°C above normal, cutting wind power output
- •Solar eclipse on 12 August knocked out solar generation for ~2 hours during evening peak
- •Gas supplies tight across Europe — storage well below normal for this time of year
- •Middle East conflict still disrupting global gas shipping routes, keeping prices high
- •European nuclear power lower than usual due to hot rivers reducing reactor cooling
Wholesale pricing based on ICE forward settlements; non-commodity charges from NESO, LCCC, Ofgem and DNO publications. Indicative only — not financial advice.