Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics · 2025 · Husnain Ahmad、Ayesha Ali、Robyn Meeks、Zhenxuan Wang、Javed Younas
中文摘要
我们研究了巴基斯坦卡拉奇一项技术干预的效果——将裸露配电线改造为空中集束电缆（ABCs）——该干预旨在防止非法接入电网并改善公用事业成本回收。防窃电电缆减少了损耗，这主要通过未计费消费的下降实现，同时正式公用事业客户数量及其计费消费均有所增加。拉闸限电停电减少。在安装此类电缆的地区，消费者拥有更多家用电器，电力相关支出也更高。收入回收有所上升，但消费者与账单相关的投诉也有所增加。（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)