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Optimal regulation of network expansion

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  • Bert Willems
  • Gijsbert Zwart

Abstract

We model the regulation of irreversible capacity expansion by a firm with private information about capacity costs, where investments are financed from the firm's cash flows and demand is stochastic. The optimal mechanism is implemented by a revenue tax that increases with the price cap. If the asymmetric information has large support, then the optimal mechanism consists of a laissez†faire regime for low†cost firms. That is, the firm's price cap corresponds to that of an unregulated monopolist, and it is not taxed. This “maximal distortion at the top†is necessary to provide information rents, as direct subsidies are not feasible.

Suggested Citation

  • Bert Willems & Gijsbert Zwart, 2018. "Optimal regulation of network expansion," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 49(1), pages 23-42, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:randje:v:49:y:2018:i:1:p:23-42
    DOI: 10.1111/1756-2171.12217
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    Cited by:

    1. Panova, Elena & Garrett, Daniel F., 2023. "Regulating investments when both costs and need are private," TSE Working Papers 23-1429, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    2. Arve, Malin & Zwart, Gijsbert, 2023. "Optimal procurement and investment in new technologies under uncertainty," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    3. Wen, Xingang & Hagspiel, V. & Kort, Peter M., 2017. "Subsidized Capacity Investment under Uncertainty," Other publications TiSEM 4c7a7c87-a34c-4934-a910-5, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Lavrutich, Maria & Hagspiel, Verena & Siddiqui, Afzal S., 2023. "Transmission investment under uncertainty: Reconciling private and public incentives," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 304(3), pages 1167-1188.
    5. Chen, You-hua & Chen, Mei-xia & Mishra, Ashok K., 2020. "Subsidies under uncertainty: Modeling of input- and output-oriented policies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 39-56.
    6. Zwart, Gijsbert, 2021. "Optimal regulation of energy network expansion when costs are stochastic," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    7. Nagy, Roel L.G. & Hagspiel, Verena & Kort, Peter M., 2021. "Green capacity investment under subsidy withdrawal risk," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. repec:wsi:acsxxx:v:21:y:2018:i:08:n:s0219525918500182 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Bigerna, Simona & Hagspiel, Verena & Kort, Peter M. & Wen, Xingang, 2023. "How damaging are environmental policy targets in terms of welfare?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 311(1), pages 354-372.
    10. Bigerna, Simona & Wen, Xingang & Hagspiel, Verena & Kort, Peter M., 2019. "Green electricity investments: Environmental target and the optimal subsidy," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 279(2), pages 635-644.
    11. Maarten van Oosterhout & Gijsbert Zwart, 2023. "Distortions in Investment Timing and Quantity in Real Options with Asymmetric Information," De Economist, Springer, vol. 171(4), pages 347-365, December.
    12. Marques, Vítor & Costa, Paulo Moisés & Bento, Nuno, 2022. "Greater than the sum: On regulating innovation in electricity distribution networks with externalities," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    13. Bovera, Filippo & Delfanti, Maurizio & Fumagalli, Elena & Lo Schiavo, Luca & Vailati, Riccardo, 2021. "Regulating electricity distribution networks under technological and demand uncertainty," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    14. Hellwig, Michael & Schober, Dominik & Cabral, Luís, 2020. "Low-powered vs high-powered incentives: Evidence from German electricity networks," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    15. Wen, Xingang, 2017. "Investment under uncertainty : Timing and capacity optimization," Other publications TiSEM 47363df4-fc3e-46b8-b7bd-a, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    16. Guthrie, Graeme, 2020. "Regulation, welfare, and the risk of asset stranding," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 273-287.
    17. Ketelaars, Martijn & Kort, Peter M., 2022. "Investments in R&D and Production Capacity with Uncertain Breakthrough Time : Private versus Social Incentives," Discussion Paper 2022-010, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    18. Dragicevic, Arnaud Z. & Shogren, Jason F., 2021. "Preservation Value in Socio-Ecological Systems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 443(C).
    19. Balter, Anne G. & Huisman, Kuno J.M. & Kort, Peter M., 2022. "New insights in capacity investment under uncertainty," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

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