American Economic Review
ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)
Measuring Duopoly Power in the British Electricity Spot Market
American Economic Review
vol. 89,
no. 4, September 1999
(pp. 805–826)
Abstract
This article presents an empirical study of market power in the British electricity industry. Estimates of price-cost markups are derived using direct measures of marginal cost and several approaches that do not rely on cost data. Since two suppliers facing inelastic demand dominate the industry, most oligopoly models predict prices substantially above marginal costs. All estimates indicate that prices, while higher than marginal costs, are not nearly as high as most theoretical models predict. Regulatory constraints, the threat of entry, and financial contracts between the suppliers and their customers are considered as possible explanations for the observed price levels.Citation
Wolfram, Catherine, D. 1999. "Measuring Duopoly Power in the British Electricity Spot Market." American Economic Review, 89 (4): 805–826. DOI: 10.1257/aer.89.4.805JEL Classification
- L13 Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
- L94 Electric Utilities
- L51 Economics of Regulation