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Braucht Deutschland einen Kapazitätsmarkt für eine sichere Stromversorgung?

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  • Haucap Justus

    (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf)

Abstract

This paper argues against the rapid implementation of capacity mechanisms in Germany. There is no systematic, non-temporary market failure in the German wholesale electricity market which could justify such a Government intervention. Neither the low elasticity of demand nor debatable public good characteristics nor the potentially missing acceptance of price spikes can support the idea of that the energy only market may fail to guarantee reliability of supply. In addition, there are currently no resilient signs of any shortage of supply. In contrast, the German wholesale electricity market is still characterized by over-capacities. The worldwide experience with capacity mechanisms also demonstrates most of all that no capacity market design is ever stable, but subject to change in often quite short intervals. Potential low-cost options to safeguard security of supply include a strategic reserve against generation failures. In addition, the Federal Cartel Office should correct its position that dominant firms must not offer electricity at a price above the short-run marginal cost. Such a prescription forecloses the market and chokes off investment and would in most other cases be regarded as an anticompetitive foreclosure strategy of a dominant firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Haucap Justus, 2013. "Braucht Deutschland einen Kapazitätsmarkt für eine sichere Stromversorgung?," Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 62(3), pages 257-269, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:lus:zwipol:v:62:y:2013:i:3:p:257-269
    DOI: 10.1515/zfwp-2013-0305
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    Cited by:

    1. Feld, Lars P. & Fuest, Clemens & Haucap, Justus & Schweitzer, Heike & Wieland, Volker & Wigger, Berthold U., 2014. "Neustart in der Energiepolitik jetzt!," Kronberger Kreis-Studien 58, Stiftung Marktwirtschaft / The Market Economy Foundation, Berlin.
    2. Annika Gillich & Kai Hufendiek, 2022. "Asset Profitability in the Electricity Sector: An Iterative Approach in a Linear Optimization Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-31, June.
    3. Saskia Ellenbeck & Andreas Beneking & Andrzej Ceglarz & Peter Schmidt & Antonella Battaglini, 2015. "Security of Supply in European Electricity Markets—Determinants of Investment Decisions and the European Energy Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Justus Haucap & Jonathan Meinhof, 2022. "Die Strompreise der Zukunft [Electricity Prices of the Future]," Wirtschaftsdienst, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 102(1), pages 53-60, May.
    5. Schmitt, Stephan & Wissner, Matthias, 2016. "Kapazitätsmechanismen – Internationale Erfahrungen," WIK Discussion Papers 406, WIK Wissenschaftliches Institut für Infrastruktur und Kommunikationsdienste GmbH.
    6. Haucap, Justus & Heimeshoff, Ulrich & Klein, Gordon J. & Rickert, Dennis & Wey, Christian, 2013. "Wettbewerbsprobleme im Lebensmitteleinzelhandel," DICE Ordnungspolitische Perspektiven 48, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • Q40 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - General
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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