千钧一发：利用技术改善电力公用事业成本回收
Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics · 2025 · [{"name": "Husnain Ahmad", "affiliation": ["Trinity College", "Trinity University"]}, {"name": "Ayesha Ali", "affiliation": ["Lahore University of Management Sciences"]}, {"name": "Robyn Meeks", "affiliation": ["Duke University"]}, {"name": "Zhenxuan Wang", "affiliation": ["North Carolina State University"]}, {"name": "Javed Younas", "affiliation": ["American University of Sharjah"]}]
中文摘要
我们研究巴基斯坦卡拉奇一项技术干预的效果——将裸露的配电线路改换为架空绝缘电缆 (aerial bundled cables, ABCs)——该干预旨在防止非法接入电网并改善公用事业的成本回收。防盗 (防窃) 电缆降低了损耗。这主要通过未计费用电量的下降实现, 与此同时, 正式公用事业客户的数量及其计费用电量均有所增加。限电停电减少。在安装了这些电缆的地区, 消费者拥有更多电器, 且电力相关支出更高。收入回收上升, 但消费者与账单相关的投诉也随之增加。(JEL D24, L94, O13, Q41)
Abstract
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. (JEL D24, L94, O13, Q41)