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Netznutzungsentgelte als Wettbewerbshindernis? Diskriminierungsanreize und Regulierung in liberalisierten Strommärkten – Eine spieltheoretische Analyse

The Access Pricing Problem: Incentives to Discriminate and the Regulation of Access Charges – a game theoretic analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Dieter Schmidtchen

    (Universität des Saarlandes)

  • Christoph Bier

    (Center for the Study of Law and Economics (CSLE), Saarbrücken)

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is (1) to analyze the incentives for a vertically integrated input monopolist to engage in price-discrimination when there is downstream entry, and (2) to examine the question, whether a cost-based regulation of access charges for electricity grids enhances competition in the downstream-market. The paper also derives the welfare effects of both the liberalization of the downstream-market and the cost-based regulation. The paper shows that the incumbent will never block entry if the entrant is more efficient than the incumbent. The reason is that the input-monopolist can make more profit through input sales than it could generate by producing the downstream product itself. If the entrant does not have a cost advantage either the incumbent or the entrant gets a monopoly position. Providing for a level playing field by means of a cost-based regulation of access charges always lowers prices in the downstream-market. Zusammenfassung: Das Paper untersucht zwei Fragen: (1) wann hat ein Stromnetzbetreiber, der zugleich im nachgelagerten Strommarkt tätig ist (vertikal integrierter Netzbetreiber) Anreiz, durch diskriminierende Festsetzung von Netznutzungsentgelten die Konkurrenz im Strommarkt zu behindern? (2) Kann eine kostenorientierte Regulierung der Netznutzungsentgelte mit dem Ziel eines diskriminierungsfreien Netzzugangs für mehr Wettbewerb Strommarkt sorgen? Das Paper untersucht auch die Wohlfahrtseffekte einer Liberalisierung der Strommärkte sowie einer kostenorientierten Regulierung der Netznutzungsentgelte. Das Paper zeigt, daß der vertikal integrierte Netzbetreiber niemals Konkurrenten diskriminieren wird, wenn diese Strom kostengünstiger erzeugen als er. Er wird sie vielmehr zum Markteintritt einladen und über das Netznutzungsentgelt an ihrem Kostenvorsprung partizipieren. Wenn der Konkurrent keinen Kostenvorteil aufweist, ist der Anreiz zur Marktabschottung groß. Eine kostenorientierte Regulierung der Netznutzungsentgelte zur Schaffung fairen Wettbewerbs senkt die Strompreise und fördert die Interessen der Stromverbraucher.

Suggested Citation

  • Dieter Schmidtchen & Christoph Bier, "undated". "Netznutzungsentgelte als Wettbewerbshindernis? Diskriminierungsanreize und Regulierung in liberalisierten Strommärkten – Eine spieltheoretische Analyse

    The Access Pricing Problem: Incentives    ," German Working Papers in Law and Economics 2006-1-1158, Berkeley Electronic Press.
    • Handle: RePEc:bep:dewple:2006-1-1158
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christoph Bier & Dieter Schmidtchen, "undated". "Regulierung in vertikal verknüpften Märkten: Maximieren diskriminierungsfreie kostenorientierte Netznutzungsentgelte die gesellschaftliche Wohlfahrt?," German Working Papers in Law and Economics 2006-1-1138, Berkeley Electronic Press.
    2. Bier, Christoph & Schmidtchen, Dieter, 2006. ""Golden-Gans"-Effekt, Preisdiskriminierungsgefahr und die Regulierung von Netznutzungsentgelten," CSLE Discussion Paper Series 2006-01, Saarland University, CSLE - Center for the Study of Law and Economics.
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    5. Christoph Bier & Dieter Schmidtchen, "undated". "„Golden-Gans“-Effekt, Preisdiskriminierungsgefahr und die Regulierung von Netznutzungsentgelten," German Working Papers in Law and Economics 2006-1-1137, Berkeley Electronic Press.
    6. Song, Jae-Do & Kim, Jae-Cheol, 2001. "Strategic Reaction of Vertically Integrated Firms to Downstream Entry: Deterrence or Accommodation," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 183-199, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Strommarkt; Netznutzungsentgelte; Preisdiskriminierung; „raising rivals costs“;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L43 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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