UK GAS-Prices rise on French power sector strike

LONDON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - British wholesale gas prices rose
on the back of reduced power generation in France due to a
workers strike.

* The day-ahead contract was 1.65 pence higher
at
42.50 pence per therm by 0938 GMT.

* Gas for January delivery rose by 1.8 pence to
44.20
pence per therm.

* Strikes by workers protesting against a French nuclear
reform
plan reduced nuclear and hydro power generation on late
Wednesday, data from power group EDF showed.

* The disruption was around 3.6% of available production
capacity
as of Wednesday evening, the data showed.

* French nuclear output was still above levels observed in
Dec.
2019, Refinitiv gas analysts said, when a nationwide strike in
nuclear reactors and coal-fired power generators reduced
electricity generation by 7%.

* France is a net power exporter in Europe, meaning there
may be
need for more gas across the continent to replace some of French
power imports.

* There were several gas outages ongoing in Norway, but the
impact
was not bullish, Refinitiv analysts said, as it was offset by an
increase in liquefied natural gas send-out.

* Other market drivers were bearish.

* The UK gas system was more than 17 million cubic metres
(mcm)
oversupplied with demand forecast at 310.5 mcm and supply at
around 328 mcm, national grid data showed.

* Wind output remains strong, reducing the call for gas from
power
plants. Peak wind generation is forecast at 13.1 gigawatts (GW)
on Thursday and 13 GW on Friday, out of total metered capacity
of around 18 GW, Elexon data showed.

* Average temperature was expected to rise by 1 degree
Celsius on
Friday in western Europe, according to Refinitiv, lowering gas
consumption in the region.

* The January gas price at the Dutch TTF hub
was up
0.49 euro at 15.27 euros per megawatt hour.

* The benchmark Dec-20 EU carbon contract was 0.40
euro
higher at 30.10 euros a tonne.
(Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; editing by Nina Chestney)