Interactive: Platts Renewable Energy Price Explorer

(Latest update: Oct. 17, 2024)

Capture prices for solar and wind power output in September diverged across Europe amid changing weather patterns and a relative early end of summer in some regions, according to Platts Renewable Energy Price Explorer.

In Spain, solar capture prices fell below Eur50/MWh, while wind prices plunged 30% month-on-month, according to Platts assessments for S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Cooler temperatures and increased wind activity reduced overall power prices in many markets.

German wind values declined as September wind power generation rose 65% year-on-year, further depressing solar capture prices despite lower solar production.

The Explorer shows the "capture price" renewable energy generators receive based on hourly output and pricing data on a monthly average basis.

As such capture prices take account of the cannibalization effect caused by Europe's growing fleet of solar and wind farms and are a more accurate reflection of value than wholesale power prices.

Spanish solar had the lowest capture rate in September with 68%.

UK offshore wind captured 95% of the average wholesale power price with UK wind generation lower on year.

Elsewhere, French capture prices remained Europe’s cheapest averaging in the lower Eur40/MWh, due to continued oversupply from French nuclear.

Overall, a record September for European wind power output offset the seasonal decline in solar, with combined output across the Big Five markets increasing 20% year-on-year to 44 TWh.

For further information, see methodology or contact ci.support@spglobal.com

The dial chart shows monthly wind, solar, nuclear, gas and coal-fired generation across Europe's five biggest power markets. Click a segment for more detail.