Power supply
Do our lights go out in a lull in the dark?
When it stays dark in winter, the fear of blackouts increases. However, the high electricity prices may actually be due to an abuse of power by power plant operators.
Recently there were reports that Germany could no longer supply itself with electricity because the nuclear power plants and some coal-burning plants had been shut down. The evidence given was that the price of electricity on the exchange had risen sharply. Others even warn that our lights will soon go out if there is no wind and sun – the so-called dark doldrums.
The Federal Network Agency explains: “The secure power supply was never at risk.” Germany has enough conventional power plants and reserve capacity to generate the necessary electricity. A blackout is not expected. Electricity prices also did not fluctuate any more than those of its larger neighbors.
During periods of darkness, coal-fired electricity becomes more expensive
The fact that the Federal Republic is currently importing more electricity than exporting is only a consequence of the free market and price formation. Because coal-fired power in particular is becoming expensive, traders prefer to buy cheaper green power in Denmark, Norway or the Netherlands. Only about 18 percent of all imports are nuclear power. Conversely, Germany often supplies cheap green electricity abroad. Some neighbors store it in pumped storage power plants – and sell it back at a high price when demand is high.
The fact that the price of electricity on the exchange briefly rose more than tenfold on December 12th was possibly the result of market abuse. An owner of several conventional power plants may have taken some of them offline to artificially inflate the price and thus make more money at the bottom line. If this suspicion is confirmed, the Federal Network Agency will investigate.
Source: Stern
