‘Flexible’ power mix must be approached with caution

THE change in the country’s prescribed mix of generating sources for electricity will soon change if Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has his way. But while the new plan has considerable merit, it will make the Department of Energy’s job considerably harder.

Cusi’s preference is to do away with quotas imposed on types of power generation – coal, oil, gas, and various forms of renewable energy – and instead simply maintain a ratio of 70 percent baseload power, 20 percent midrange requirements and 10 percent peaking power.