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That's not quite what's happening, there is not just one goal. It's just that having as cheap electricity as possible is one of many competing goals that they t

That's not quite what's happening, there is not just one goal. It's just that having as cheap electricity as possible is one of many competing goals that they try to optimize for. This winter and perhaps the one after that as well will be interesting for sure, after that the major natural gas risk should be mitigated by having enough LNG terminals and supply. There is still quite a bit of leeway to reduce taxes on electricity, but when you're short on supply you might not want to incentivize electricity use.

belorn 4y ago
When the wind is optimal, wind power is the cheapest possible energy source. When the sun is optimal, solar is cheapest. When neither is true, natural gas is the cheapest solution in the short run. This is not just what the economics say, it is also the official strategy in several nations as I mentioned before. Trying to disincentivize electricity use during periods of low supply do not work. Governments feel forced to step in if factories has to shut down or people can't heat their homes. Those not willing gets voted out, as was also demonstrated this winter. All this is a local maximum where every action is rational but the result is terrible for everyone involved. Paying through taxes does not actually make the energy price low, and the massive cost to the environment will have to be paid at some point in the future. More LNG terminals and more fossil fuel plants will not make the situation better. Demand through electrification is growing faster than the economic savings from using even more fossil fuels, and when winter comes the same scenario as last will occur. The only ones who will profit is those countries that export fossil fuels.