In the day-ahead market on JEPX (Japan Electric Power Exchange), the 24-hour spot power prices for May 17-21 delivery rose from the previous day in both East Japan and West Japan. Spot prices were pushed higher led by day time as cloudy and rainy weather across Japan limited solar power supply for most of the week. Southern Kyushu entered the rainy season on May 11, followed by norther Kyushu, Shikoku and Chugoku on May 15. The rainy season also gripped Kinki and Tokai on May 16. The rainy season arrived in those areas almost one month earlier than the previous year and nearly 20 days earlier than the average year.

The actual highest price during the week was at Yen 16.51 in all of nine areas from Hokkaido to Kyushu and the system price for May 20 delivery. The actual lowest price during the week was at Yen 4.01 in Hokkaido and Tohoku for May 20 delivery.

By area, the weekly average of the 24-hour spot prices was at Yen 8.40 in Hokkaido, up Yen 1.03 from the previous week, Yen 8.44 in Tohoku, up Yen 1.07, Yen 8.58 in Tokyo, up Yen 1.06, Yen 9.05 in five areas including Chubu, Hokuriku, Kansai, Chugoku and Shikoku, up Yen 1.54, and Yen 8.88 in Kyushu, up Yen 1.83.

Power demand in nine areas of Japan during May 17-21 was a combined 11,105.89 mil kWh, up 3.5% from 10,732.43 mil kWh during May 10-14. The figure was up 8.4% from the corresponding period a year earlier. Demand during May 18-22, 2020 after day of week adjustment was 10,242.56 mil kWh.

In the JEPX forward market, a series of transactions were reported on May 18 and May 19. On May 18, Tokyo witnessed three transactions as follows. 24-hour contract at Yen 8.11 in 1MW for May 29-Jun 4. Day time contract (delivery during 08:00-18:00 hours on weekdays) at Yen 8.35 in 5MW for May 29-Jun 4. Day time contract at Yen 8.76 in 1MW for Jun 5-11. On May 19, six deals were clinched in Kansai as follows. 24-hour contract at Yen 9.75 in 5MW for monthly delivery in December 2021. 24-hour contract at Yen 9.92 in 5MW for monthly delivery in January 2022. 24-hour contract at Yen 9.70 in 5MW for monthly delivery in February 2022. Day time contract at Yen 9.50 in 25MW for May 22-28. Day time contract at Yen 9.50 in 5MW for May 22-28. Day time contract at Yen 9.02 in 5MW for Jun 26-Jul 2.

Deals reported on TOCOM (Tokyo Commodity Exchange) during May 17-21 were as below.

Deals reported on EEX (European Energy Exchange) during May 17-21 were as below.

During the week starting May 24, spot prices will likely continue solid movements. The weather is forecast to be partly sunny in the middle of the week. But most areas are expected to be cloudy or rainy, so that limited solar power supply is believed to bolster day time prices. Such a price tend will be more prominent in West Japan for its higher reliance on solar power generation. West Japan is expected to outperform those East Japan for most of the week.