Calendar of Events

May 21, 2013 to May 22, 2013 | Washington, DC
May 21, 2013 to May 22, 2013 | Charlotte, North Carolina
May 21, 2013 to May 23, 2013 | Atlanta, GA

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Public Utilities Reports

PUR Guide 2012 Fully Updated Version

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Gateway Energy Services

Trusting Capacity Markets

Does the lack of long-term pricing undermine the financing of new power plants?

J.P. Pfeifenberger and S.A. Newell

The PJM Interconnect’s Reliability Pricing Model generally has succeeded in attracting and retaining low-cost generation and demand resources to maintain resource adequacy. But sluggish demand and low prices have weakened the market for long-term capacity contracts. Suppliers aren’t willing to lock in current low prices, and buyers don’t want to pay more for future certainty. Is the market dysfunctional, as some state lawmakers suggest, or does the lack of long-term contracts indicate a rational balance of supply and demand?