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Inefficiency persistence and heterogeneity in Colombian electricity distribution utilities

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  • Jorge E. Galán
  • Michael G. Pollitt

Abstract

The electricity reform in Colombia has exhibited gains in terms of reliability but its effects on firms efficiency and service quality have not been clear. Previous studies evaluating the performance of distribution companies after the reform have not found evidence of improvements, although large differences in efficiency have been found among firms. This suggests high inefficiency persistence and heterogeneity in the Colombian distribution sector. In this paper, we propose an extension of dynamic stochastic frontier models that accounts for unobserved heterogeneity in the inefficiency persistence and in the technology. The model incorporates total expenses, service quality and energy losses in an efficiency analysis of Colombian distributors over fifteen years after the reform. We identify the presence of high inefficiency persistence in the sector, and important differences between firms. In particular, rural companies and firms with small customers present low persistence and evidence the largest gains in efficiency during the period. However, increases in efficiency are only manifested during the last five years when the main improvements in service quality and energy losses are presented. Overall, inefficiency persistence, customer density and consumption density are found to be important criteria to be considered for regulatory purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge E. Galán & Michael G. Pollitt, 2014. "Inefficiency persistence and heterogeneity in Colombian electricity distribution utilities," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1423, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:1423
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    8. Clement Tengey & Nnamdi Ikechi Nwulu & Omoseni Adepoju & Omowunmi Mary Longe, 2022. "Analysis of the Productivity Dynamics of Electricity Distribution Regions in Ghana," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-10, December.
    9. Jorge E. Galán & Yong Tan, 2024. "Green light for green credit? Evidence from its impact on bank efficiency," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 531-550, January.
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    11. Sarmiento, Miguel & Galán, Jorge E., 2014. "Heterogeneous effects of risk-taking on bank efficiency : a stochastic frontier model with random coefficients," DES - Working Papers. Statistics and Econometrics. WS ws142013, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Estadística.
    12. Liu, Xiao-Yan & Pollitt, Michael G. & Xie, Bai-Chen & Liu, Li-Qiu, 2019. "Does environmental heterogeneity affect the productive efficiency of grid utilities in China?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 333-344.
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    14. Galán, Jorge E. & Veiga, Helena & Wiper, Michael P., 2015. "Dynamic effects in inefficiency: Evidence from the Colombian banking sector," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(2), pages 562-571.
    15. Jamasb,Tooraj & Nepal,Rabindra & Timilsina,Govinda R., 2015. "A quarter century effort yet to come of age : a survey of power sector reforms in developing countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7330, The World Bank.
    16. She, Zhen-Yu & Meng, Gang & Xie, Bai-Chen & O'Neill, Eoghan, 2020. "The effectiveness of the unbundling reform in China’s power system from a dynamic efficiency perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bayesian inference; electricity distribution; dynamic effects; heterogeneity; stochastic frontier models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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