Since renewable generation disposes of the lowest marginal costs and generation follows demand, it replaces other baseload generation at times of high output. Consequently, the average load factor of baseload plants will decrease, which decreases income if they cannot compensate for this tendency with higher prices at times of low output. If income decreases, investments in new generation facilities will be postponed or cancelled. Therefore, the average load factor of baseload plants (= electricity generation/maximum possible generation) may be an important indicator for future investments. Thirdly, procedures, time and cost to obtain construction permits, inspections and network connections give an impression of the ability to realise new investments. Up to now, in network planning reserves are usually determined on the basis of deterministic “n-1” and “n-2” requirements, which require network operators to transport the power along a different route in case a contingency occurs (even when certain network components are not available due to planned outages, i.e. “n-2”).