让“负电价”发挥“正能量”

Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of "negative electricity prices" is becoming more frequent in China's electricity market, driven by the rapid development of intermittent renewable energy sources and the improved operation of provincial spot markets. This indicates a potential oversupply of electricity, necessitating further optimization of the power system's adjustment capabilities [2][10][13]. Group 1: Occurrence of Negative Prices - In January, Zhejiang's electricity spot market reported a minimum price of -0.2 yuan/kWh, marking the first occurrence of "negative prices" in the region. In May, Shandong experienced negative price periods with a low of -0.08 yuan/kWh, and in September, Sichuan saw the first full-day negative price at -0.05 yuan/kWh [2][5]. - The increasing frequency of "negative prices" serves as a "signal light" for the electricity market, encouraging deep adjustments in power generation and investments in energy storage and other new entities [2][10]. Group 2: Implications for Power Plants - Power plants may report negative prices to enhance competitiveness during periods of oversupply, allowing them to sell electricity even at a loss. Renewable energy companies can still benefit from environmental credits, making it viable to sell at negative prices within acceptable ranges [5][6]. - Traditional coal-fired power plants face high startup costs and may choose to report negative prices to avoid shutting down, thus balancing their operational costs against potential future high-price periods [6][12]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Policy Changes - The gradual relaxation of electricity price floors across various regions is contributing to the rise of negative prices. For instance, Shandong set a lower limit of -80 yuan/MWh, while Zhejiang proposed a range of -200 yuan/MWh for future market operations [11][12]. - The emergence of negative prices reflects significant changes in the supply-demand relationship within the electricity system, highlighting the scarcity of adjustable power resources [12][13]. Group 4: Future Trends and Recommendations - The frequency of negative prices is expected to increase in the short term, but with the deployment of flexible resources like energy storage, the occurrence may stabilize in the long run [13][14]. - To effectively manage negative prices, it is recommended to enhance market mechanisms, allowing for predictable and manageable fluctuations rather than completely eliminating them. This includes optimizing resource allocation and improving inter-provincial electricity trading [13][14][15].