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The forward premium in electricity futures

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  • Bunn, Derek W.
  • Chen, Dipeng

Abstract

Understanding the nature of the forward premium is particularly crucial, but rather elusive, for a non-storable commodity such as wholesale electricity. Whilst forward prices emerge as the expectation of spot plus, or minus, an ex ante premium for risk, the manifestation and empirical analysis must focus upon realised ex post premiums. This presents modelling requirements to control for shocks to the spot expectation as well as the endogeneity of ex post premia with spot price outcomes. In addition, because electricity is a derived commodity in the sense that market prices are often set by technologies that convert gas or coal into power, it is an open question whether much of the premia in power may actually be a pass-through of the premia in gas (or coal). Using a four dimensional VAR model we are able to distinguish fundamental and behavioural aspects of price formation in both the daily and monthly forward premia from the British market. We present new evidence on daily and seasonal sign reversals, associated with demand cycles, the greater importance of behavioural adaptations in the risk premia than fundamental or spot market risk measures, and the substantial fuel risk pass-through. We also show the value of a nonlinear specification in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Bunn, Derek W. & Chen, Dipeng, 2013. "The forward premium in electricity futures," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 173-186.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:23:y:2013:i:c:p:173-186
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2013.06.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Energy futures; Electricity; Forward premium; VAR; Regime switching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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