Price elasticities of residential electricity demand: Estimates from household panel data in Bangladesh

A-Tier
Journal: Energy Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 92
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Balarama, Hemawathy (not in RePEc) Islam, Asad (Monash University) Kim, Jun Sung (not in RePEc) Wang, Liang Choon (Monash University)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We collect a household level panel dataset to estimate the price elasticities of electricity demand for different types of urban households in Bangladesh. We use an instrumental variable estimation strategy which exploits exogenous variation in average electricity prices induced by a value-added-tax shock. The results indicate significant heterogeneity in price elasticities by electricity consumption levels. We conduct a number of simulations under alternative policy scenarios to illustrate how incorporating the heterogeneous nature of price elasticities into pricing policy can help decrease electricity demand-supply mismatch and inequality in electricity consumption. The results have important policy implications for developing countries aiming to address major energy issues by implementing tariff reforms.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:eneeco:v:92:y:2020:i:c:s0140988320302772
Journal Field
Energy
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-29