Sudden halt to combined cycle energy plants

The government will allow combined cycle gas plants to shut down for four years. They are currently operating at only 15% of expected capacity because of high supply.

The shutdown will be controled by bid process, and that will allow power companies to stop paying gas tolls and they could even dismantle some plants. This is an old move for power companies, which are selling surplus production during periods of low demand caused by the nation's economic crisis and a good year for wind and water power plants.

It is possible that renewable energy premiums and power bills will go up as a result of this decsion, possibly putting the end cost on consumers. But the move is necessary in order to balance supply and demand within the sector, a process that should also do away with surprise costs and solidifies a reform process that gives more security to power companies and end users.