In March 2012, the total trading volume on the Natural GasMarket of the European Energy Exchange (EEX) amounted to 6,757,679 MWh (March 2011: 5,591,169 MWh).
Thereof a volume of 3,456,599 MWh was traded on the Spot Market for the delivery into the market areas GASPOOL, NCG and TTF (March 2011 GASPOOL and NCG volume: 2,160,324 MWh). During the month, the daily reference price on the Spot Market for Natural Gas ranged between EUR 21.00 per MWh and EUR 26.75 per MWh.
On the Derivatives Market for Natural Gas (GASPOOL and NCG market areas)a volume of 3,301,080 MWh was traded (March 2011: 3,430,845 MWh), including 130,200 MWh from OTC-clearing. On 30 March 2012, the open interest was 33,634,383 MWh. On 30 March 2012, Natural Gas prices for delivery in 2013 were fixed at EUR 27.77 per MWh for the GASPOOL and NCG market areas. The last monthly average value for the natural gas index EGIX Germany, which constitutes the reference price for the delivery month April 2012, was fixed with 24.68 Euro per MWh on 29 March 2012.
On the EEX Markets for Emission Allowances a volume of 9,228,000 tonnes of CO2 was traded compared with 20,661,407 tonnes of CO2 in March 2011.
On the Spot Market for EU Emission Allowances a total of 3,270,000 EUA was traded.The volume included 220,000 EUA traded on the secondary spot market (March 2011: 1,613,407 EUA) and 3,050,000 EUA from the primary market auction. During the month, the Carbix (Carbon Index) ranged between EUR 6.69 per EUA and EUR8.81 per EUA.
On the EEX Derivatives Market for CO2 Emission Allowances the total volumea mounted to 5,692,000 EUA. The volume included 3,112,000 EUA traded on the secondary derivatives market (March 2011: 16,141,000 EUA) and 2,580,000 EUA from the primary market auction. The 2012 Mid Dec future contract settled at EUR 7.11 per EUA on 30 March 2012, and the 2013 future contract at EUR 7.60 per EUA.
On the CO2 Derivatives Market for Certified Emission Reductions a volume of 266,000CER was traded in March compared with 57,000 CER in March 2011. On 30 March 2012, the 2012 Mid Dec future contract settled at EUR 3.79 per CER. The 2013 future contract settled at EUR 4.56 per CER.
In March, EEX admitted the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg, for trading on the Derivatives Market for Emission Allowances. Moreover, EEX welcomed Koch Commodities Europe Ltd., London, JAS Budapest Zrt., Budapest and as the first participant from Finland UPM-Kymmene Oyi, Helsinki, for trading on the Derivatives Market. Erdgas Münster GmbH, Münster, became a new trading member on the Natural Gas Spot Market. Moreover, EEX admitted EWV Energie- und Wasser-VersorgungGmbH, Stolberg, for trading on the Spot and Derivatives Market for Natural Gas.