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Social norms, trust and control of power theft in Uganda: Does bulk metering work for MSEs?

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  • Never, Babette

Abstract

Power theft is still rampant in many developing countries. Governments and utility providers tend to favor technical solutions, neglecting the socio-economic dimension. This article analyzes the interaction between the socio-economic factors trust, informal social norms, awareness and electricity pricing effect and technical control measures in Uganda. After reforming its power sector, Uganda introduced two technical innovations: bulk metering for micro and small enterprises (MSE) and prepaid metering for households. The bulk metering system imposes a strong form of social control among MSEs. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 29 MSEs and 16 experts in Uganda, this article shows how well bulk metering works in practice. It finds that trust is key in the relations between electricity user and utility provider, between citizens and government overseeing the energy sector as well as within bulk metering groups of MSEs. The electricity price impacts MSEs' ability to pay and to some extent also their willingness to pay. Finally, power theft used to be accepted as an informal social norm. Change is happening, but is currently undermined by corruption and patronage networks in the energy sector and the political system, impacting people's attitude to compliance – regardless of the privatization of the electricity sector.

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  • Never, Babette, 2015. "Social norms, trust and control of power theft in Uganda: Does bulk metering work for MSEs?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 197-206.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:82:y:2015:i:c:p:197-206
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Wabukala, Benard M. & Mukisa, Nicholas & Watundu, Susan & Bergland, Olvar & Rudaheranwa, Nichodemus & Adaramola, Muyiwa S., 2023. "Impact of household electricity theft and unaffordability on electricity security: A case of Uganda," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Viegas, Joaquim L. & Esteves, Paulo R. & Melício, R. & Mendes, V.M.F. & Vieira, Susana M., 2017. "Solutions for detection of non-technical losses in the electricity grid: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1256-1268.
    5. Telles Esteves, Gheisa Roberta & Cyrino Oliveira, Fernando Luiz & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler & Souza, Reinaldo Castro, 2016. "An overview of electricity prepayment experiences and the Brazilian new regulatory framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 704-722.
    6. Savian, Fernando de Souza & Siluk, Julio Cezar Mairesse & Garlet, Taís Bisognin & do Nascimento, Felipe Moraes & Pinheiro, José Renes & Vale, Zita, 2021. "Non-technical losses: A systematic contemporary article review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Rajeev K. Goel & Ummad Mazhar & Rati Ram, 2022. "Informal competition and firm performance: Impacts on input‐ versus output performance," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(2), pages 418-430, March.
    8. Adongo, Charles Atanga & Taale, Francis & Bukari, Shaibu & Suleman, Shafic & Amadu, Iddrisu, 2021. "Electricity theft whistleblowing feasibility in commercial accommodation facilities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    9. Fernando de Souza Savian & Julio Cezar Mairesse Siluk & Tai s Bisognin Garlet & Felipe Moraes do Nascimento & Jose Renes Pinheiro & Zita Vale, 2022. "Non-technical Losses in Brazil: Overview, Challenges, and Directions for Identification and Mitigation," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(3), pages 93-107, May.
    10. Babette Never, 2023. "Green and Social Regulation of Second Hand Appliance Markets: the Case of Air Conditioners in the Philippines," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 791-810, June.

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