国内缘何出现“负电价”？国家能源局回应

Core Viewpoint - The emergence of negative electricity prices in China is a reflection of the increasing share of renewable energy and the imbalance in supply and demand in the electricity market, which may become more frequent as the market evolves [1][2]. Group 1: Reasons for Negative Electricity Prices - Negative electricity prices are a direct manifestation of the temporary imbalance in electricity supply and demand, particularly with the growing proportion of renewable energy sources [1]. - In September, regions like Sichuan experienced all-day negative electricity prices due to a significant increase in water supply (up 60% year-on-year) and a decrease in demand (down 20% year-on-year), leading to a supply exceeding demand by nearly 40% [1]. Group 2: Implications of Negative Electricity Prices - Short-term negative electricity prices can serve as a "signal light" for the electricity market, encouraging adjustments in power generation and investments in energy storage and other new entities to accommodate clean energy generation [1]. - Long-term negative electricity prices may indicate a significant oversupply of electricity, necessitating further optimization of the electricity system's adjustment capabilities based on market price signals [1]. Group 3: Impact on Power Plants - Negative electricity prices do not equate to power plants needing to pay consumers, nor do they represent "negative electricity fees" [2]. - The current electricity market in China includes various trading mechanisms, with the spot market accounting for less than 10% of total transactions, meaning that long-term contracts provide a stable revenue base for power generation companies [2]. - For instance, on September 20 and 21, the average settlement price for hydropower in Sichuan was 183 yuan per megawatt-hour, slightly higher than the monthly average of 177 yuan per megawatt-hour, indicating that overall revenue for coal and renewable energy generation remains robust due to government contracts and subsidies [2]. Group 4: Future Monitoring and Management - The National Energy Administration plans to enhance market operation monitoring to closely observe the frequency and duration of negative electricity prices, aiming to mitigate market risks and stabilize reasonable revenue expectations for power generation companies [2].