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Productivity Analysis of German Electricity Distribution Utilities

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  • Christian von Hirschhausen
  • Andreas Kappeler

Abstract

This paper provides a productivity analysis of German electricity distribution companies. It addresses both traditional issues in electricity sector benchmarking, such as the role of scale effects and optimal utility size, as well as new evidence specific to the situation in Germany. Regarding the latter, we consider the potential effects of the three structural variables defined in the association agreements ("Verbändevereinbarung Strom VV II+"): consumer density, grid composition (cable versus aerial lines),and differences between East and West German distribution companies. We use labour, capital, and peak load capacity as inputs, and units sold and the number of customers as output. The data covers 380 (out of 553) German electricity distribution utilities. We apply a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) with constant returns to scale (CRS) as the main productivity analysis technique, whereas stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) is our verification method. The results suggest that returns to scale play a minor role: only very small utilities have a significant cost advantage. Low customer density is found to affect the efficiency score significantly in the lower third of all observations. The grid composition does not produce systematic effects. Surprisingly, East German utilities feature a higher average efficiency than their West German counterparts. The correlation tests imply a high coherence of the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian von Hirschhausen & Andreas Kappeler, 2004. "Productivity Analysis of German Electricity Distribution Utilities," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 418, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp418
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massimo Filippini, 1998. "Are Municipal Electricity Distribution Utilities Natural Monopolies?," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(2), pages 157-174, June.
    2. Filippini, Massimo & Wild, Jorg, 2001. "Regional differences in electricity distribution costs and their consequences for yardstick regulation of access prices," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 477-488, July.
    3. Antonio Estache & MartÌn A. Rossi & Christian A. Ruzzier, 2004. "The Case for International Coordination of Electricity Regulation: Evidence from the Measurement of Efficiency in South America," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 271-295, May.
    4. Burns, Philip & Weyman-Jones, Thomas G, 1996. "Cost Functions and Cost Efficiency in Electricity Distribution: A Stochastic Frontier Approach," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 41-64, January.
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Electricity distribution; Efficiency analysis; Benchmarking; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L43 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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