Research and Markets Laura Wood, press@researchandmarkets.com fax: +353 1 4100 980

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets .com/reports/ c42178) has announced the addition of Winter Outlook for the UK Energy Market to their offering.

National Grid and Ofgem are forecasting another tight winter supply scenario for the UK energy market. The relevance of soaring wholesale energy prices is keenest felt during the peak consumption period, enhancing the need for players throughout the value chain to be aware of the latest market movements and developments.

Scope of this title:

--a comprehensive review of the supply/demand fundamentals that will drive UK wholesale and retail energy prices during the peak consumption period.

--an understanding of structural issues that will determine the utilisation of pivotal gas production, storage and import infrastructure.

--an in-depth analysis of the base case scenario put forward by National Grid/Ofgem for Winter 2006/07 and its impact on wholesale market sentiment.

--an assessment of the key risk factors that will shape strategy throughout the UK energy supply chain this winter.

Highlights of this title:

UK spot and forward wholesale gas prices will be extremely bullish and volatile during Winter 2006/07. As the peak consumption period nears and trader speculation surrounding supply security intensifies, new record highs in the wholesale price of both gas and power are anticipated. Domestic users should brace themselves for further tariff hikes.

Gas will not necessarily follow UK price signals. Volume flows along the expanded Bacton-Zeebrugge Interconnector and new BBL pipeline will not always respond to UK price signals during the coming winter. The reticence of continental shippers to export storage gas will negate the bearish price impact that expanded UK import capacity should bring.

The spark spread will determine the strategy that generators pursue this winter. Akin to the Winter 2005/06, the profitability of coal generation will ensure gas-fired operators closely monitor the spark spread for opportunities to profitably self-interrupt. Generation mix will be key to determining the winners and losers in Winter 2006/07.

Reasons to order your copy:

--gain insight into UK's current energy supply/demand balance and its likely impact on the wholesale and retail price of gas and power this winter.

--evaluate the price and non-price factors that will determine asset utilisation during the peak demand period.

--identify the varying strategies that players throughout the supply chain will adopt in the coming winter.

OUR VIEW 1 CATALYST 1 SUMMARY 1 METHODOLOGY 1 ANALYSIS 2 Forward gas curve to be bullish and volatile 2 Forward electricity curve to track gas, regardless of coal price 3 Temperature drives demand swings during peak period 4 Demand-side response is an important tool in managing peak load 5 A cold winter will be most keenly felt in the balancing market 5 Dwindling North Sea output and rising import reliance drive underlying wholesale price rises 7 Few capacity constraints are likely if planned infrastructure arrives on time 8 Gas will not necessarily follow NBP price signals 9 Asset utilisation remains the key intangible 10 US gas prices may still have a role to play 11 Project delays offer massive upside to wholesale prices 12 Rough failure is undermining market confidence 13 Continental shippers are not obliged to ship gas to Britain 14 Import infrastructure cannot meet peak demand by itself 15 Offshore producers will seek to maximise upstream profitability 16 The spark spread will determine generator strategy 17 Suppliers will seek to mitigate exposure to balancing costs 18 MEU buyers must hedge and respond quickly to market movements 19 Domestic users should expect further tariff hikes 21 APPENDIX 22 Further reading 22 Ask the analyst List of Figures

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/ reports/c42178

Source: Datamonitor