LONDON (Reuters) - British gas prices edged lower on Wednesday, as supply and demand were closely matched and strong wind power generation capped gas needs.
Gas for within-day delivery
The system was 1 million cubic metres (mcm) short, with demand forecast at 248 mcm, while supply was pegged at 247 mcm, National Grid (L:NG) data showed.
Mild weather meant demand was well below the seasonal norm of around 277 mcm.
The Met Office forecast temperatures above seasonal norms for the coming days at around 11 to 13 degrees Celsius and windy conditions.
Wind power output was expected to peak at 7,160 MW on Wednesday.
"Wind speeds remain strong and a key factor diminishing gas for power demand," analysts at Point Carbon Thomson Reuters said.
Norwegian exports remained strong with flows via the Langeled pipeline to Britain at around 58 mcm per day, up slightly from around 54 mcm the previous day.
Gas prices for January
In the Netherlands the day-ahead gas price at the TTF hub
In Europe's carbon market the benchmark EU Allowance (EUA)