Future Wholesale Power Prices Continue Low Trend

Relatively low wholesale power prices are forecast to continue, a result of low-cost hydopower and wind generation, flat load growth, and low natural gas prices.The Council's 20-year forecast region is used in developing its regional power plan.

Natural gas prices strongly influence power prices at the Mid C, so the forecast range is defined by the forecast high and low prices for natural gas.

The forecast provides a benchmark power price for heavy and low load hours at the Mid C in the Council's modeling. The power price forecasting work can also be used to evaluate trends in the mix of future generation and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, under average hydro and load forecast conditions, the CO2 emissions from regional power generation can be expected to decline as coal plants retire in 2020 and 2025.