This week’s wholesale electricity snapshot shows a clear rise as Friday’s average pool price climbs by 8.4 percent from Thursday, continuing a trend that keeps the market above 200 euros per megawatt hour. The tightening of prices comes after a volatile week where supply and demand dynamics pushed the average higher than midweek levels, signaling continued pressure in the Iberian wholesale market. [Source data from OMIE, summarized by Europa Press]
On Friday, the typical pool price settles at 202.99 euro per MWh, a gain of nearly 16 euros from Wednesday’s 187.27 euros. This shift reflects short term fluctuations in supply and demand across the calendar and highlights how the pool itself acts as the benchmark for the broader electricity market in the region. [OMIE data, Europa Press attribution]
The hourly peak for Friday is forecast at 242.74 euro per MWh between 08:00 and 09:00, while the low for the day is expected to be 164.99 euro per MWh between 18:00 and 19:00. These time bounds illustrate the intraday volatility typical of wholesale markets, where prices swing with the changing balance of generation and consumption. [Source: OMIE records via Europa Press]
Compared with the same day last year, the Friday average price represents a sharp increase, rising by 239 percent versus the 59.8 euro per MWh recorded on May 13, 2021. The year over year comparison underscores how shifts in fuel costs, weather patterns, and regulatory factors can multiply wholesale price movements within a single trading cycle. [OMIE data, Europa Press]
Pool prices do more than shape the day’s wholesale figures. They also influence the regulated tariff known as PVPC, which covers roughly 11 million households in the country. For many consumers, the pool price serves as the reference point for how much is paid in the regulated segment, while households in the free market see prices tied to supplier contracts that reference market conditions. [Market analysis with CNMC context]
Historical data shows that the dynamics of the pool not only set current bills but also guide the direction of consumer choices. In a broader context, authorities noted that during the year 2021 a notable share of households shifted from PVPC to fixed price offers in the free market, reflecting responses to ongoing energy cost pressures and the desire for price stability. The evolution of these choices has continued to shape the overall market mix as demand patterns and generation costs evolve. [CNMC statements with historical context]