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Measuring Duopoly Power in the British Electricity Spot Market

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  • Catherine D. Wolfram
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    Abstract

    This article presents an empirical study of market power in the British electricity industry. Estimates of price-cost markups are derived using direct measures of marginal cost and several approaches that do not rely on cost data. Since two suppliers facing inelastic demand dominate the industry, most oligopoly models predict prices substantially above marginal costs. All estimates indicate that prices, while higher than marginal costs, are not nearly as high as most theoretical models predict. Regulatory constraints, the threat of entry, and financial contracts between the suppliers and their customers are considered as possible explanations for the observed price levels.

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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/aer.89.4.805
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    Bibliographic Info

    Article provided by American Economic Association in its journal American Economic Review.

    Volume (Year): 89 (1999)
    Issue (Month): 4 (September)
    Pages: 805-826

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    Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:89:y:1999:i:4:p:805-826

    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.89.4.805
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