French power for July 5 settles at EUR 37.07 /MWh: EPEX auction

French power for July 5 settled at EUR 37.07 per MWh in the EPEX SPOT auction, reflecting volatility in European electricity markets. The price is in line with broader trends observed in April 2026, where most major European electricity markets recorded average prices below €85/MWh, with France registering the lowest at €39.80/MWh.

The auction results highlight the role of renewable energy in shaping market prices. In recent weeks, strong solar generation has driven prices to record lows, including a historic negative price of -€41.39/MWh in France on May 1. Analysts attribute the continued pressure on prices to high renewable output and subdued demand, particularly during periods of mild weather and holidays.

EPEX SPOT continues to expand its market offerings, with launch Day-Ahead and Intraday Auction markets in the Baltic region by 2026. Additionally, the exchange has introduced 15-minute Market Time Units (MTU) for Single Day-Ahead and Intraday Coupling, enhancing granularity and efficiency in power trading.

The French auction for Guarantees of Origin (GOs) remains a key mechanism for supporting renewable energy, with EEX managing the process on behalf of the French government. The latest auction results show a weighted average price of €0.34 per MWh for wind energy and €0.33 per MWh for solar and hydro, underscoring the competitive pricing of renewable certificates.