Price Convergence and Information Efficiency in German Natural Gas Markets |
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Authors: | Christian Growitsch Marcus Stronzik Rabindra Nepal |
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Institution: | 1. Institute of Energy EconomicsUniversity of Cologne;2. Scientific Institute for Infrastructure and Communication Services (WIK);3. University of Queensland |
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Abstract: | In 2007, Germany changed network access regulation in the natural gas sector and introduced a so‐called entry–exit system. The spot market effects of the reregulation remain to be examined. We use cointegration analysis and a state space model with time‐varying coefficients to study the development of natural gas spot prices in the two major trading hubs in Germany and the interlinked spot market in the Netherlands. To analyse information efficiency in more detail, the state space model is extended to an error correction model. Overall, our results suggest a reasonable degree of price convergence between the corresponding hubs. Market efficiency in terms of information processing has increased considerably among Germany and the Netherlands. |
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Keywords: | Natural gas market regulation cointegration price convergence time‐varying coefficient |
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