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Reform despite politics? The political economy of power sector reform in Fiji, 1996–2013

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  • Dornan, Matthew

Abstract

Attempts to reform the electricity sector in developing countries have achieved mixed results, despite the implementation of similar reforms in many developed countries, and concerted effort by donors to transfer reform models. In many cases, political obstacles have prevented full and effective implementation of donor-promoted reforms. This paper examines the political economy of power sector reform in Fiji from 1996 to 2013. Reform has been pursued with political motives in a context of clientelism. Policy inconsistency and reversal is explained by the political instability of ethnic-based politics in Fiji. Modest success has been achieved in recent years despite these challenges, with Fiji now considered a model of power sector reform for other Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific. The experience demonstrates that reform is possible within difficult political environments, but it is challenging, takes time and is not guaranteed. The way in which political motives have driven and shaped reform efforts also highlights the need for studies of power sector reform to direct greater attention toward political drivers behind reform.

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  • Dornan, Matthew, 2014. "Reform despite politics? The political economy of power sector reform in Fiji, 1996–2013," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 703-712.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:67:y:2014:i:c:p:703-712
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.11.070
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    3. Dalibor Gottwald & Libor Švadlenka & Hana Pavlisová, 2016. "Human Capital and Growth of E-postal Services: A cross-country Analysis in Developing Countries," Post-Print hal-01307145, HAL.
    4. Imam, M. & Jamasb, T. & Llorca, M., 2019. "Political Economy of Reform and Regulation in the Electricity Sector of Sub-Saharan Africa," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1949, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    5. Prasad, Ravita D. & Bansal, R.C. & Raturi, Atul, 2017. "A review of Fiji's energy situation: Challenges and strategies as a small island developing state," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 278-292.
    6. Nepal, Rabindra & Sofe, Ronald, 2024. "Electricity reforms in small Island developing states under changing policy contexts – Lessons for Papua New Guinea," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    7. Spiegel-Feld, Danielle & Rudyk, Bryce & Philippidis, George, 2016. "Allocating the economic benefits of renewable energy between stakeholders on Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Arguments for a balanced approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 744-748.
    8. Kirsty Anantharajah, 2019. "Governing Climate Finance in Fiji: Barriers, Complexity and Interconnectedness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    9. J. G. L. S. Jayawardena & U. Anura Kumara & M. A. K. Sriyalatha, 2018. "Indirect Regulatory Capture, Regulator and the Utility in Electricity Sector," Asian Bulletin of Energy Economics and Technology, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 4(1), pages 10-21.
    10. Dornan, Matthew & Shah, Kalim U., 2016. "Energy policy, aid, and the development of renewable energy resources in Small Island Developing States," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 759-767.
    11. Li, Ping & Zhou, Ying & Huang, Sijie, 2023. "Role of information technology in the development of e-tourism marketing: A contextual suggestion," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 307-318.
    12. Dornan, Matthew & Jotzo, Frank, 2015. "Renewable technologies and risk mitigation in small island developing states: Fiji’s electricity sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 35-48.
    13. Matthew Dornan, 2015. "Renewable Energy Development in Small Island Developing States of the Pacific," Resources, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-17, July.
    14. Bensch, Gunther, 2019. "The effects of market-based reforms on access to electricity in developing countries: a systematic review," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 11(2), pages 165-188.
    15. Peng, Xu & Tao, Xiaoma, 2018. "Cooperative game of electricity retailers in China's spot electricity market," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 152-170.
    16. Brown, Alistair, 2016. "The need for improved financial reporting of a developing country energy utility," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1448-1454.

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