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Ownership unbundling in electricity distribution: empircal evidence from New Zealand

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Author Info
Nillesen, P.
Pollitt, M.G.

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Abstract

New Zealand is the only country to date to have implemented forced ownership unbundling of electricity distribution from the rest of the electricity supply industry (in 1998). This paper examines the impact of this policy on electricity prices, quality of service and costs. We find that ownership unbundling did not achieve its objectives of facilitating greater competition in the electricity supply industry but that it did lead to lower costs and higher quality of service. We suggest that this experience indicates the potential benefits of ownership unbundling in Europe but also the danger of un-intended consequences.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge in its series Cambridge Working Papers in Economics with number 0836.

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Date of creation: Aug 2008
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Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:0836

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Related research
Keywords: electricity distribution; ownership unbundling; New Zealand;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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