UK prompt up on colder weather, Dutch prices down

LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - European benchmark wholesale gas prices were mixed on Friday morning with UK prompt prices up on colder weather but Dutch contracts down down on comfortable supply.

The British day-ahead price was up 3.00 pence at 165.00 pence per therm by 1046 GMT, while the weekend price ws 4.00 pence higher at 164.00 p/therm, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

"Colder weather is on the horizon for the next week. Wind speeds are also going to drop, but further out (on the curve), the fundamentals remain comfortable," a trader said.

Refinitiv Eikon data shows colder temperatures over the weekend and to the end of next week in Britain and north-west Europe, which should increase demand for heating.

The high wind speeds of the past week are also forecast to settle down over the coming days but remain above the seasonal norm. Strong wind typically decreases gas demand from power plants.

Peak wind generation in Britain is forecast at 17.4 gigawatts (GW) on Friday and 17.2 GW the next day, out of total metered capacity of around 22 GW, Elexon data showed.

UK gas-for-power demand forecast is up 37 million cubic metres (mcm) on the day-ahead, flat on the weekend and 7 mcm/d up for working days next week, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.

In the Dutch market, the front-month contract was down 3.45 euros at 63.90 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), while the March contract was down 1.50 euros at 66.80 euros/MWh.

Healthy liquefied natural gas supply and comfortable storage levels were contributing factors, traders said.