The European Energy Exchange (EEX) said this week that it has taken steps to enable negative prices on its natural gas spot markets beginning Oct. 1, following a “number of key price fluctuations” that have occurred on the market in recent months.

“The move will allow the exchange to handle any price scenario that may arise in the future,” EEX said, adding that the effective date was set in cooperation with regulators, infrastructure operators and traders.

“By enabling negative prices, we aim to provide the gas market and its participants with more flexibility, thereby ensuring that supply and demand can be matched at all times and under all circumstances,” said Chief Strategy Officer Tobias Paulun.

While less gas trading occurs on EEX compared to the...