Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ahmad, Husnain F.; Ali, Ayesha; Meeks, Robyn C.; Wang, Zhenxuan; Younas, Javed
• 署名单位: Trinity University; Lahore University of Management Sciences; Duke University; North Carolina State University; American University of Sharjah
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20230468
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: FIRM PRODUCTIVITY; shortages; QUALITY

摘要

We study the effects of a technical intervention in Karachi, Pakistan-- converting bare distribution wires to aerial bundled cables (ABCs)-- that 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. (JELD24, L94, O13, Q41)