Despite decline in national peak demand, IEX Electricity Market trading volume rises 5% in June

Mumbai: Despite 10% YoY decline in national peak demand, the electricity market at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) reported a 5% YoY rise in total trade at 470 Million Units (MU) in June.

The average market clearing price during the month was at Rs. 2.35 per unit registered a whopping 29% YoY decline over a price of Rs. 3.32 in June’19.

“Increased economic activity and easing of the lockdown restrictions in most parts of the country coupled with peaking summers contributed to national peak demand at 165 GW and energy consumed at 107 BU, according to data released by NLDC. The Day-Ahead Market (DAM) traded 4174 MU and witnessed high sell side liquidity in the month, with total sell bids at 10164 MU being close to 1.5X the buy bids at 4661 MU” said IEX in a stock market filing.

The increased availability of power and attractive prices in the market ensured that the industries as well as the distribution utilities continue to have access to lower electricity prices leading to greater savings as well as assisting them in building the much needed financial liquidity which is critical at this hour. Infact, the open-access volume in June witnessed 30% m-o-m increase. One Nation One Price prevailed for all 30 days during the month.

The real-time market has received an overwhelming response from the participants and in its first month. The market attracted trade volume of 515.5 MU comprising over 10% of the total volume traded on IEX. A total of 237 customers participated in the new market segment during the first month with the single-day highest volume of 36.09 MU on June 30, 2020. The average monthly market-clearing price stood at Rs 2.22 per unit for RTM alone.

The REC Trading Session at IEX on June 24, 2020, saw a total trade of 2.29 lac Renewable Energy Certificates comprising 1,62,873 Non-Solar and 66,815 Solar RECs.  The price for Solar RECs at Rs. 1000 per REC decreased by 50% from Rs. 2,000 in May ’20 and the price for nonSolar RECs issued after 1.4.17, was at Rs. 1,000 per REC.