SEPTEMBER 2018 ENERGY EXCHANGE: TRADE OVERVIEW

2018 10 16
SEPTEMBER 2018 ENERGY EXCHANGE: TRADE OVERVIEW

High activity was recorded in the BALTPOOL Biomass Exchange in September: compared to August, the trade turnover increased by 70% (from EUR 9.8 million to EUR 16.66 million); the total amount of woodchips sold increased by 54% (68,700 toe), and 80% of the purchased amount is intended for the 2018–2019 heating season.

By 2 October, when trade under half-year transactions for the heating season was completed, a total of 62.6 thousand toe of biomass, i.e. the double amount recorded in August (30.1 thousand toe), was sold under long-term transactions. The average price of the biomass purchased under long-term transactions for the forthcoming heating season (237.49 EUR/toe) was 31% higher compared to the average supply price of the previous heating season (180.98 EUR/toe).

In September, 32% of the orders to sell placed by sellers resulted in the conclusion of long-term supply contracts. For comparison: in August, only 18% of the orders were successful, despite the fact that heat producers wished to buy 34% more biomass than in September. The recorded figures were due to the activity of Latvian sellers, which placed orders and concluded transactions. Compared to August, the amount of orders placed by Latvian sellers quadrupled; as much as 55% of these orders resulted in the conclusion of long-term supply contracts. Latvian sellers occupied one fifth (nearly 20%) of the market in Šiauliai and Klaipėda counties; if the entire Lithuanian market is considered, the share of Latvian sellers in September was nearly 10% of the total amount of biomass purchased under long-term transactions for the forthcoming heating season. This is the highest indicator of participation of sellers from the neighbouring country in biomass trade since the start of operation of the exchange.

Heat producers acquired 39.3% (116.4 thousand toe) of biomass under advance long-term transactions of the amount of biomass delivered to heat producers in the previous heating season (nearly 297 thousand toe).