ECONOMIC CONSULTING ASSOCIATES

We advise both regulators and utilities in developing wholesale and retail tariff frameworks that balance social and economic requirements. Besides tariff design, we are also experienced in providing training in tariff principles and building capacity with regulatory bodies. This applies to both electricity and water, where there is invariably heightened concern about affordability. In the energy sector, ECA has also helped develop market designs and detailed rules for both capacity and energy markets in several markets in Europe and other areas as part of market opening initiatives.

Projects

Regulation of gas tariffs, Ireland

ECA advised the Commission for Energy Regulation on the structure of tariffs charged for use of the gas distribution system in the run-up to the review of gas tariffs charged by the incumbent utility, Bord Gáis.

Cyprus: electricity tariff design

ECA was appointed by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) to design new tariff structures and levels for the 2014-2018 period covering the entire vertical chain of service provision (generation, transmission, system operation, distribution and supply).

Gas transmission charging, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland introduced entry capacity charges for access to the gas transmission system. ECA was asked to provide specialised consultancy support to assist the regulator on modelling with the development of the rules for the introduction of new transmission charges into the NI Tariff Regime.

Greece: electricity network pricing

ECA was appointed by the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) to develop transmission connnection and use-of-system tariffs for electricity for implementation by the transmission and distribution network operators.

Specialist tariff adviser in relation to privatisation of water companies, Greece

A consortium led by ECA was appointed as Special Tariff Adviser (STA) to develop tariffs for the water and sewerage (W&S) companies of Athens and Thessaloniki, EYDAP and EYATH, in the context of their impending privatisations.

Electricity tariff design, Vietnam

The study developed an improved mechanism to set bulk power and consumer tariffs in Vietnam and also developed an independent creditor model to evaluate the financial sustainability of the sector.

Water tariff review and affordability study, Uganda

This assignment involved ECA advising on a new tariff policy and structure, undertaking a comprehensive willingness and affordability to pay survey, detailed cost-recovery and tariff modelling and the design of an effective subsidy policy.

Market model, tariffs and institutional capacity support, Kosovo 

ECA assisted the newly-formed Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) in developing the large quantity of secondary legislation, codes and regulations required to implement the new regulatory framework and competitive electricity market.

Urban water tariff study, Zimbabwe

ECA prepared financial tariff models for each of the 7 Municipalities (Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Mutare, Kwekwe, Masvingo and Chegutu), and made recommendations on cost recovery tariffs that simultaneously met a number of national policy objectives.

Review of tariff plan and policy, Zimbabwe

ECA provided advice to Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority on the methodology for setting tariffs in the context of rapid inflation and the electricity market reform policy.

Retail electricity tariffs, Nigeria

ECA developed marginal-cost based tariff structures and recommended staged tariff increases, automatic adjustment mechanisms and lifeline tariffs.

Consumer tariff design and short-term load forecasting, China

ECA helped develop new consumer tariff structures and a tariff determination mechanism consistent with the separation of existing regional Power Supply Bureaus (PSBs) into new independent and commercially viable companies.