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Economics, ideology, and the creation and performance of state-owned electricity utilities in Australia, 1900 to 1950

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  • Abbott, Malcolm
  • Cohen, Bruce

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that contributed to the evolving structure and ownership of the electricity industry in Australia in the inter-war and immediate post-World War II period. It details how the industry developed in the Australian states from the latter part of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th century. In examining the industry's transformation, network effects, generation plant scales, and the influence of the conflicting ideologies of socialism versus private ownership are considered. It then provides an assessment of the impact the changes in structure collectively had on the industry's performance during this period.

Suggested Citation

  • Abbott, Malcolm & Cohen, Bruce, 2022. "Economics, ideology, and the creation and performance of state-owned electricity utilities in Australia, 1900 to 1950," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:77:y:2022:i:c:s0957178722000455
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2022.101380
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. A. Boehm, 1956. "OWNERSHIP and CONTROL OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 32(2), pages 257-272, November.
    2. Malcolm Abbott, 2006. "The Performance Of An Electricity Utility: The Case Of The State Electricity Commission Of Victoria, 1925–93," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 46(1), pages 23-44, March.
    3. Robert Millward, 2006. "Business and government in electricity network integration in Western Europe, c.1900-1950," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(4), pages 479-500.
    4. Millward,Robert, 2005. "Private and Public Enterprise in Europe," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521835244.
    5. Malcolm Abbott, 2013. "The Motivation and Effectiveness of Gas Industry Economic Regulation in New South Wales, 1912–39," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(2), pages 167-186, July.
    6. Robert Millward, 2011. "Public Enterprise In The Modern Western World: An Historical Analysis," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 82(4), pages 375-398, December.
    7. Malcolm Abbott, 2010. "The long term development of New Zealand's electricity supply industry," New Zealand Economic Papers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 75-89.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gautier, Axel & Nsabimana, René & Walheer, Barnabé, 2023. "Quality performance gaps and minimal electricity losses in East Africa," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Network externalities; Electricity industry; Utilities; Economies of scale; Socialism; Private ownership;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L32 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Enterprises; Public-Private Enterprises
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • N47 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Africa; Oceania
    • N77 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Africa; Oceania

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