Analysis and Modelling of the French Capacity Mechanism

Emil Kraft analyses the French capacity remuneration mechanism design and develops a capacity market model that draws upon an agent-based simulation. The capacity mechanism was implemented to mitigate the imminent risk to the security of supply and to complement the electricity markets. The author applies his model to real data in three scenarios and assesses both the impact of the mechanism on the development of the French generation fleet until 2050 and the evolution of the capacity prices. The key conclusions consist of the effectiveness and the controllability of the implemented mechanism. As a complement to functioning electricity markets it is able to provide sufficient investment incentives and thus to guarantee the French security of supply in the future.