European power volumes and prices: 2020 in review

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, 2020 was distinguished by disruption in Europe’s major power markets. Measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus had an extraordinary impact on market fundamentals – generator economics being skewed by the collapse of demand and supply mixes remade by changing market balances. Later in the year, when demand began to recover, flexibility challenges emerged as supply margins tightened during periods of low renewable generation. But 2020 had its positive points too. The emergence of more ambitious climate commitments, increasing market integration, and a string of renewable records should all be noted. Germany generated more power from wind than coal for the first time in 2020.