I've actually been at a power plant where one block has never been switched on (except for maintenance). The block is there because it can be switched on, if necessary.
The texans wanted low prices and structured their pricing 100% for that: Power generators are paid 100% for being cheapest. Most other places use a combination of low pricing and availability, and the regulator will award contracts for availability to various generators that have different failure modes.
I've actually been at a power plant where one block has never been switched on (except for maintenance). The block is there because it can be switched on, if necessary.
The texans wanted low prices and structured their pricing 100% for that: Power generators are paid 100% for being cheapest. Most other places use a combination of low pricing and availability, and the regulator will award contracts for availability to various generators that have different failure modes.