OREANDA-NEWS. April 13, 2017. Natural gas use for power generation fell sharply in February from a year earlier in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) footprint on lower electric demand, higher wind generation and rising gas prices.

Gas accounted for 16.4pc of MISO generation fuel mix in February, down from 23.3pc a year earlier, according to the grid operator. The data implies electricity generation from gas-fired power plants in the MISO area decreased by 38pc in February from a year earlier to about 7.2TWh.

Meanwhile, total electric demand in February fell by 11pc from a year earlier to about 44TWh.

Natural gas spot prices at Chicago Citygates, a key trading hub in the midcontinent, in February averaged at $2.82/mmBtu, up by about two-thirds from February 2016. Prices in February fell by 13pc from January amid mild weather.

Population-weighted heating degree days (HDDs), a measure of weather-related energy demand, in the Great Lakes region in February were 25pc below normal and 14pc lower than prior year, according to the National Weather Service. February HDDs were down by 29pc from January.

The lower energy demand also reduced February coal generation by 8pc from a year earlier to about 21TWh.