蝌蚪网 Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery
蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics
(pp. 60–99)
Abstract
We study the effects of a technical intervention in Karachi, Pakistan鈥攃onverting bare distribution wires to aerial bundled cables (ABCs)鈥攖hat was intended to prevent illegal grid connections and improve utility cost recovery. Theft-resistant cables reduced losses. This occurred primarily through decreases in unbilled consumption, with the number of formal utility customers and their billed consumption both increasing. Load-shedding outages decreased. In areas with these cables installed, consumers have more appliances and higher electricity-related expenditures. Revenue recovery rose, but consumers' billing-related complaints also increased.Citation
Ahmad, Husnain F., Ayesha Ali, Robyn C. Meeks, Zhenxuan Wang, and Javed Younas. 2025. "Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery." 蝌蚪网 Journal: Applied Economics 17 (4): 60–99. DOI: 10.1257/app.20230468Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D24 Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
- L94 Electric Utilities
- O13 Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products
- Q41 Energy: Demand and Supply; Prices