Intervention isn't needed to secure flexibility in power

Germany needs flexibility to cope with increasing volumes of intermittent renewable power. Contrary to some of the solutions that have been mooted in response, Steffen Köhler of EEX argues the best way to achieve flexibility is by working with market forces

Steffen Köhler, EEX

Renewables are increasingly having an impact on European energy markets. The marked rise in the share of renewables in power generation poses a number of challenges, particularly for Germany, where the trend is most stark.

The increased volume of electricity being generated from renewables is leading to lower wholesale prices and severe difficulties for conventional thermal plants, which are fast becoming uneconomical. Yet these conventional plants are still needed. Renewables are highly