After a decade or more of experiences in reforming electricity markets in several
pioneer regions, some important lessons can now be drawn. This book gives an assessment of
these developments, focusing on the issues that are critical for successful electricity
market liberalisation. One lesson is that it is a long process which requires strong
on-going government involvement and commitment.
Experiences and examples in the study are mainly drawn from the UK, Australian, Nordic and
North Eastern United States (the PJM interconnection) markets, which have all operated
with considerable success for a number of years. They have improved efficiency without
jeopardising system security. These markets are described in greater detail in annexes of
the book but the main analysis focuses on key issues rather than on specific countries and
regions or specific market models. The study explores different solutions used in those
relatively robust markets and the remaining challenges.
The issues covered in the study are: the rationale and benefits of liberalisation; the
governance required to create effective competition; the role of prices and transparent
wholesale markets; consumer protection; incentives for investment, and; impact of
addressing security of supply and environmental policy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary.
Introduction
Chapter 1
Electricity market liberalisation has delivered long term benefits
Indicators of Success
Market Liberalisation is a Process rather than an Event
Distributing the Benefits of Liberalisation
Chapter 2
Competition is the fuel for effective markets
Competitive Markets Replace Vertically Integrated Utilities
Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Effective Competition
Regulating Competition
Chapter 3
Price signals are the glue
Prices to Reflect the Inherently Volatile Nature of Electricity
Locational Pricing
Markets for Ancillary Services
Cross-border Trade Creates Benefits
Market Models
Chapter 4
Risk Management and
Consumer Protection
Power Utilities Use Contracts to Manage Risks
Contracts Offer Protection for Consumers
Retail Competition
Chapter 5
Investment in Generation and
Transmission
Market-driven Investment in Generation
Demand Participation as an Alternative
Planned Investment and Capacity Measures
Investment in Transmission Networks
Co-ordination of Transmission Investment
Chapter 6
When do liberalised electricity markets fail?
Reliability of Supply in Liberalised Electricity Markets
Addressing Environmental Issues and Climate Change
Annex 1
British Electricity Trading and
Transmission Arrangements
Annex 2
The Nordic electricity market
Annex 3
Australian National Electricity Market
Annex 4
Pennsylvania - New Jersey - Maryland
Interconnection (PJM)
References
List of Tables
1 • Models for unbundling of transmission system operation
2 • Liquidity in various electricity markets: turnover in different
market segments as share of total consumption, 2004
3 • Switching rates amongst contestable customers: number of customers
no longer supplied by incumbent retailer as share of total number of residential and
non-residential customers
4 • Price caps in PJM, Australian, British and Nordic markets.
5 • Demand participation: committed by system operators with minimum
additional assessed and observed demand participation
List of Figures
1 • Electricity prices paid by end-consumers
2 • Flow over interconnectors between western Denmark and Norway, and
western Denmark and Sweden
3 • Employment in electricity, gas and water
4 • A new model for the electricity sector
5 • Timeline for planning and operation
6 • Supply and demand in liberalised electricity markets
7 • Electricity trade between two areas
8 • Reservoir levels in Norway and Sweden, trade between Norway and
Sweden, and Nord Pool spot price, 2002-2004
9 • Year in which all consumers are allowed to switch retailer
10 • Average monthly prices in national electricity market, Australia
11 • Installed capacity principal power stations in National Electricity
Market, Australia
12 • Price duration curves for the highest percent in South Australia
13 • Price duration curves: national electricity market, Australia
14 • Nord Pool forward prices, yearly contract, three years ahead
15 • Demand participation improves market and system performance
16 • Annual average increase in length of 220-400 kV transmission lines
in 16 European countries
17 • The value chain for reliable electricity supply: Energy security,
adequacy and system security
18 • Wind power production and Nord Pool day-ahead prices in western
Denmark, December 2003
19 • Wind power production in western Denmark and trade with Nordic
neighbours
224 pages, Paperback or PDF version