Which of the following best describes a "capacity market"?

A capacity market is specifically designed to ensure that there is enough generation capacity available to meet future electricity demand. This market mechanism incentivizes resource providers to invest in capacity that can be dispatched when needed, primarily during peak demand periods. By providing commitments for supply ahead of time, the capacity market helps prevent shortages and ensures reliability in the energy grid.

In contrast, mechanisms that allocate transmission rights focus on the regulation and use of power transmission networks, which is separate from the generation capacity itself. Trading renewable energy credits pertains to a system designed to promote renewable energy sources but does not address capacity assurance directly. Determining retail electric rates involves the pricing of electricity for consumers, which is a different aspect of the energy market and does not ensure that sufficient capacity is in place to meet demand. Thus, the focus of a capacity market on future generation capacity is what makes that option the best description.