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Do producers apply a capacity cutting strategy to increase prices? The case of the England and Wales electricity market

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  • Lízal, Lubomír M.
  • Tashpulatov, Sherzod N.

Abstract

Promoting competition among electricity producers is primarily targeted at ensuring fair electricity prices for consumers. Producers could, however, withhold part of production facilities (i.e., apply a capacity cutting strategy) and thereby push more expensive production facilities to satisfy demand for electricity. This behavior could lead to a higher price determined through a uniform price auction. Using the case of the England and Wales wholesale electricity market we empirically analyze whether producers indeed did apply a capacity cutting strategy. For this purpose we examine the bidding behavior of producers during high- and low-demand trading periods within a trading day. We find statistical evidence for the presence of capacity cutting by several producers, which is consistent with the regulatory authority's reports.

Suggested Citation

  • Lízal, Lubomír M. & Tashpulatov, Sherzod N., 2014. "Do producers apply a capacity cutting strategy to increase prices? The case of the England and Wales electricity market," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 114-124.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:43:y:2014:i:c:p:114-124
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2014.02.007
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    Cited by:

    1. Clements, A.E. & Hurn, A.S. & Li, Z., 2016. "Strategic bidding and rebidding in electricity markets," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 24-36.
    2. Tsybina, Eve & Moreno-Cruz, Juan & Tereshin, Alexey, 2019. "Liberalisation lowers primary energy efficiency: Evidence from twin power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 423-435.
    3. Sherzod N. Tashpulatov, 2022. "Modeling Electricity Price Dynamics Using Flexible Distributions," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Tashpulatov, Sherzod N., 2015. "Analysis of electricity industry liberalization in Great Britain: How did the bidding behavior of electricity producers change?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 24-34.
    5. Sherzod N. Tashpulatov, 2018. "The Impact of Behavioral and Structural Remedies on Electricity Prices: The Case of the England and Wales Electricity Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-24, December.
    6. repec:cnb:ocpubv:rb13/1 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. repec:cnb:ocpubv:rb13/2 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. repec:cnb:ocpubv:rb14/1 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Sherzod N. Tashpulatov, 2021. "The Impact of Regulatory Reforms on Demand Weighted Average Prices," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, May.
    10. repec:cnb:ocpubv:rb14/2 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capacity bids; Electricity prices; Uniform price auction; Regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • L50 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - General
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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