Friday, 14 August 2026
UK power firm on Hormuz LNG fears; spot dips below weekly mean on mild mid-Aug demand
Prices rising sharply2027 wholesale: £84.48/MWh
Energy prices are noticeably higher than normal right now, mostly because gas supply ships from the Middle East are being delayed by a standoff in a key shipping channel, pushing up the cost of the gas that UK power stations burn. We expect prices to stay elevated — and possibly rise further — over the next two weeks unless a deal is reached to reopen that shipping route.
What's affecting prices
- •Gas supply ships blocked in a key Middle East shipping channel, pushing up European gas prices
- •A UK nuclear power station (Hartlepool 2) is unexpectedly offline, reducing available electricity
- •Unusually hot weather across southern Europe is driving much higher electricity demand on the continent
- •UK electricity import cables from Europe and Norway are running near full capacity
- •August in England is running 3°C warmer than usual, keeping cooling demand elevated
Wholesale pricing based on ICE forward settlements; non-commodity charges from NESO, LCCC, Ofgem and DNO publications. Indicative only — not financial advice.