Volume 3-14 Abstract


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"Post-Privatisation Regulation of UK Energy Industries", By STEPHEN DOW

This survey aims to examine the major developments in United Kingdom gas and electricity industries in the post-privatisation phase. It is an understatement to say that there have been significant structural changes in the energy utilities - the changes have been both in the structure of the individual industry and also in the underlying economy.

The changes in the national economy are mirrored in the restructuring of the world economy, as the effects of the collapse of the centrally planned, socialist economies impact in the Western economies. However, changes in the structure of the economy generally are outwith the scope of this paper. Those changes directly relevant to the privatisations of the energy utilities will be looked at briefly, but only as far as they relate to the privatisation mechanisms.

The aims of this survey are firstly to examine the mechanisms of the privatisation process in the energy industries. There are differences in the mechanisms used for the privatisation of the gas supply industry when compared to that of the electricity supply industry. The survey will highlight these differences and look at the reasons behind the different mechanisms. The survey will look at the post-privatisation phase, and examine the influences apparent on both regulators and the companies as they attempted to adjust to new market conditions.