UK GAS-Prompt prices rise on lower wind power, more exports

* Day-ahead gas 0.23 pence higher at 38.78 p/therm

* More exports to Europe, less wind power

LONDON, Oct (HKSE: 3366-OL.HK - news) 28 (Reuters) - British prompt gas prices rose slightly on Wednesday morning as demand from the power sector increased due to lower output from wind energy.

Gas for day-ahead delivery was 0.23 pence higher at 38.78 pence per therm at 0933 GMT, while gas for immediate delivery increased by 0.25 pence to 38.75 p/therm.

"There is less wind today which has boosted demand for gas from CCGT (combined-cycle gas turbine) plants a little and an uptake in exports to Europe," a gas trader said.

Exports to continental Europe through the InterconnectorUK pipeline have risen to around 40 million cubic metres (mcm) per day compared to 32 mcm/d in the previous session.

Despite this, National Grid (LSE: NG.L - news) data showed the UK gas system to be almost balanced, with demand forecast at 244 mcm and flows at 245 mcm/day.

Supply from the UK Continental Shelf was unchanged but could rise in the afternoon after the North Morecambe gas sub-terminal comes back online after an outage.

Flows through the Langeled pipeline from Norway are at normal levels as two outages have ended.

Temperatures in Britain are forecast to be warmer than average over the next two weeks which could dampen demand for gas from the power sector.

In the Netherlands, gas for December delivery at the TTF hub was down 0.07 euros at 18.13 euros per megawatt hour.

"The outlook for European gas remains bearish," said analysts at Energy Aspects this week.

"With weather forecasts pointing to warmer-than-average weather for the whole two week period, and LNG imports and supplies from Russia and Norway remaining particularly strong, prices are expected to go further down," they said.

In Europe's carbon market, the benchmark EU Allowance (EUA) edged down 0.05 euros to 8.56 euros a tonne. (Reporting by Nina Chestney; editing by Jason Neely)