Latest Market Update - August 2026
Gas and power prices remain well above where they started this month.
Supply risks, low gas storage, weaker wind output and continued uncertainty in the Middle East are all contributing to ongoing volatility in the market.
The key takeaway
Short‑term prices remain high, with gas and power moving higher again this morning. Winter 2026 remains elevated, while 2027 and 2028 continue to sit at lower levels further out. The market can shift quickly, so timing and procurement strategy matter just as much as the headline price.
What moved the market?
Five reasons why energy prices remain volatile:
What does the forward market show?
Winter 2026 continues to price higher, with 2027 and 2028 showing a clearer drop further along the curve.
What is a forward price?
A forward price is the wholesale price available today for energy that will be delivered in the future. It reflects what the market currently expects prices to be, but it can still change as new information, risks or market conditions emerge.
What this means
Winter 2026 still carries the highest risk premium. Prices for 2027 and 2028 are much lower, highlighting why buying everything on a single day can create unnecessary timing risk. Where the contract allows it, spreading purchases can help reduce that exposure.
What should energy buyers do now?
Avoid basing decisions on a single day’s movement
Short‑term spikes don’t tell the full story. Avoid making buying decisions from one day’s movement.
Review your contract dates, budget risk and forward options
Understand when your contracts end, how much price movement your budget can absorb and what forward options are available.
Five practical checks before making a decision:
Want to review your energy position?
Dukefield Energy can review your current contracts, explain your options and help you build a procurement strategy shaped around budget certainty, risk and timing.
We also support billing, metering, reporting and wider utility management after go‑live.
Speak with our specialists to review your options.
0345 4022 461