POWER: Norway to See Strained Energy Balance, Variable Power Prices
Increased renewable production, rising electricity consumption, and the phase-out of fossil fuels in Europe and Norway will drive more variable power prices, while Norway’s energy balance weakens due to limited new power production plans until 2030, according to Statnett’s new long-term analysis.
- Norwegian power consumption is expected to grow to between 180-260TWh by 2050 from 140TWh currently, but without corresponding production growth, the energy balance will weaken.
- In Statnett’s “medium” consumption and production forecasts, demand is expected to reach 220TWh by 2050, with production at just 217TWh in the same period – leading to a net energy balance of around 3TWh.
- This rise is mostly due to demand from data centres.
- Norway may face increased dependency on imports, especially when local production is low, which could drive up prices, but also benefit from cheap imports during periods of surplus power production abroad, Statnett added.
- And lower average prices are expected in Norway and neighbouring countries, but short-term price fluctuations will continue due to overproduction in summer and shortages in winter.
- Additionally, Statnett's analysis predicts that average electricity prices in Norway will equalise over time as grid reinforcements are completed and consumption increases in northern Norway and Sweden.
- From 2040, average prices in Norway are expected to range around €50-55/MWh, with potential for significant variation based on domestic and international factors.
The projected value of Norway's power exchange revenues from 2023-50 is estimated at NOK 180-300bn (€15-25bn), with bottleneck revenues contributing NOK 110-140bn.
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JGB TECHS: (H5) Returns Lower
- RES 3: 149.55 - High Mar 22 (cont)
- RES 2: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
- RES 1: 144.48/146.53 - High Nov 11 / High Aug 6
- PRICE: 142.12 @ 15:01 GMT Jan 03
- SUP 1: 141.65 - Low Dec 30
- SUP 2: 141.56 - 1.764 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing
- SUP 3: 141.05 - 2.000 proj of the Aug 6 - Sep 3 - 9 price swing
Markets slipped on the hawkish Fed and are yet to fully recover, touching 141.65 on the way lower. Medium-term trend signals on the continuation chart continue to point south. A resumption of the trend would pave the way for a move towards 141.56, a Fibonacci projection point on the continuation chart. A stronger recovery would open 144.48, the Nov 11 high. Further out, key resistance is at 146.53, the Aug 6 high (cont).
USDCAD TECHS: Bull Flag Highlights A Clear Uptrend
- RES 4: 1.4669 2.0% 10-dma envelope
- RES 3: 1.4539 3.382 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 2: 1.4508 3.236 proj of the Oct 17 - Nov 1 - 6 price swing
- RES 1: 1.4467 High Dec 19
- PRICE: 1.4392 @ 15:50 GMT Jan 3
- SUP 1: 1.4336 Low Dec 20
- SUP 2: 1.4307/4232 20-day EMA / Low Dec 17
- SUP 3: 1.4136 50-day EMA
- SUP 4: 1.4011 Low Dec 5
USDCAD is unchanged and bulls remain in the driver’s seat. The latest pause appears to be a flag formation - a bullish continuation signal. Note too that moving average studies are in a bull-mode position, highlighting a dominant uptrend. Sights are on 1.4508 next, a Fibonacci projection level. Initial firm support to watch lies at 1.4307, the 20-day EMA. A pullback would be considered corrective.
AUDUSD TECHS: Southbound
- RES 4: 0.6471 High Dec 9
- RES 3: 0.6408 50-day EMA
- RES 2: 0.6341 High Dec 18
- RES 1: 0.6247/6282 High Dec 30 / 20-day EMA
- PRICE: 0.6204 @ 15:21 GMT Jan 3
- SUP 1: 0.6179 Low Dec 31
- SUP 3: 0.6158 1.236 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
- SUP 3: 0.6100 Round number support
- SUP 4: 0.6045 1.500 proj of the Sep 30 - Nov 6 - 7 price swing
A bearish trend condition in AUDUSD remains intact and the pair continues to trade closer to latest lows. Recent weakness maintains the price sequence of lower lows and lower highs. Note that moving average studies are in a bear-mode position too, highlighting a dominant downtrend. Scope is seen for an extension towards 0.6158 next, a Fibonacci projection. Initial firm resistance to monitor is 0.6282, the 20-day EMA.
