Domestic wholesale electricity prices were lower and less volatile in 2020 versus 2019, though in the latter half of the year, prices did trend higher for western states, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Friday. 

Prices in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market were 5% lower, while the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) saw a 45% reduction through 2020, EIA data showed. 

Wholesale prices in ERCOT averaged $22/MWh in 2020, versus $38/MWh in 2019. 

“Average Texas electricity prices were lower this year primarily because prices were less volatile (had fewer price spikes) than last year,” researchers said. 

In 2019, the monthly average day-ahead wholesale price spiked to $127/MWh, with prices reaching the $9,000/MWh maximum...