Hedging Strategies and the Economic Effects of Price Spikes in the Electricity Market

Abstract

This thesis concerns the newly deregulated Swedish electricity market. More specifically it concerns the large sudden increases in the spot price of electricity, i.e. price spikes, and what can be done in order to minimise the risk associated with price spikes by the use of hedging strategies. We have focused on smaller electricity trading companies. Our research questions are formulated below. • Which of our constructed hedging strategies will be the most advantageous to use in terms of reducing the risk associated with price spikes and at the same time produce the best total result over the year? • What are the most critical issues that will improve the performance of a smaller electricity trading company's hedging strategy? Our results reveal that the strategy consisting of more precise hedging instruments is the most appropriate in terms of reducing the negative economic effects of price spikes. We also show that there is a need for electricity trading companies to put more emphasis on implementing a broader risk management strategy. Our research shows that the option strategy was successful and we recommend electricity traders to consider options as a tool in their hedging strategy.