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Tariff (un)sustainability in contexts of price (in)stability: The case of the Buenos Aires water and sanitation concession

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  • Mercadier, Augusto C.
  • Brenner, Federica S.

Abstract

We aim to analyze tariff sustainability in the Buenos Aires water and sanitation concession amidst price instability. We use the 3Ts model (Tariff, Taxes and Transfers) to discuss tariff resetting from 2002 to 2019. We show that both level and tariff structure reflect the national administrations' preferences as regards service cost allocation among stakeholders. Despite the efforts, revenue has been below operative expenditure, which shows the company's difficulty to remain operationally sustainable and the differences between the ex-ante and ex-post burden of the three Ts. We suggest recommendations for the regulator to shield the sector against price instability.

Suggested Citation

  • Mercadier, Augusto C. & Brenner, Federica S., 2020. "Tariff (un)sustainability in contexts of price (in)stability: The case of the Buenos Aires water and sanitation concession," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:63:y:2020:i:c:s0957178719303583
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2019.101005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cavallo, Alberto, 2013. "Online and official price indexes: Measuring Argentina's inflation," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 152-165.
    2. J. Luis Guasch, 2004. "Granting and Renegotiating Infrastructure Concessions : Doing it Right," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15024, December.
    3. Kristin Komives & Vivien Foster & Jonathan Halpern & Quentin Wodon, 2005. "Water, Electricity, and the Poor : Who Benefits from Utility Subsidies?," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6361, December.
    4. David J. Salant & Glenn A. Woroch, 1992. "Trigger Price Regulation," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 23(1), pages 29-51, Spring.
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