Generation

Consumption of natural gas for power generation since the beginning of the year has averaged 26 Bcf/d, 24% more than the five-year average and 3% more than the five-year maximum, despite electricity-weighted heating degree days that were close-to-average nationally, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The slew of North American liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects currently in the works could face stiff competition from renewables in Asian and European power generation markets, according to a new report from economists with The Brattle Group.

Weekend and Monday natural gas buyers weren’t taking any chances of getting caught shorthanded Friday as a surging Monday power market sent strong signals to anyone contemplating going into the weekend short.

In California generally and for Edison International’s Southern California Edison Co. (SCE) utility particularly, the future role of natural gas in power generation is dwindling in response to a long-standing state water ban causing the closing or repowering of coastal gas-fired plants and more recently from the state’s aggressive climate change policies. Reliability needs, however, will keep some gas-fired generation in the mix for some time.

Natural gas strengthened its hold on the top spot for domestic power generation in October, according to the latest figures published last week by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Count the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) among those concerned about the implications of increased natural gas-fired generation on system reliability.

December natural gas is set to open 6 cents lower Friday morning at $2.21 as traders see Thursday’s price decline as an indication of lower prices to come. Overnight oil markets fell.

A Southern Company subsidiary has issued $1 billion in “green bonds” earmarked for investment in renewable projects, pointing to an ongoing shift in domestic power generation.

A group of analysts on Tuesday threw a wet blanket on the chances of growth in natural gas-fired generation in the West, particularly California, blaming it on the sun and the wind.