Adding Generating Capacity

摘要

During the 1990's, governments around the world implemented reforms to increase the reliance of the electric sector on market forces. Some new market structures introduced planning reserve requirements that were not supported by system engineers and operators. These changes heighten concern about whether generating resources will be adequate in the future to provide reliable electricity at low cost. Regulators now express concern about power shortages, price spikes and volatility, and rising (not falling) energy costs. There is a concern that generation resources are inadequate, where capacity resources are viewed as insurance against the physical non-delivery of energy and against significant price increases. Policy makers are responding with regulations to ensure that enough generating capacity will be built.