Over the last fifteen years the world's largest developing countries have initiated market reform in their electric power sectors from generation to distribution. This book evaluates the experiences of five of those countries - Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa - as they have shifted from state-dominated systems to schemes allowing for a larger private sector role. As well as having the largest power systems in their regions and among the most rapidly rising consumption of electricity in the world, these countries are the locus of massive financial investment and the effects of their power systems are increasingly felt in world fuel markets. This accessible volume explains the origins of these reform efforts and offers a theory as to why - despite diverse backgrounds - reform efforts in all five countries have stalled in similar ways. The authors also offer practical advice to improve reform policies.

The authors also offer practical advice to improve reform policies.

Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of contributors Preface Introduction and overview David G. Victor and Thomas C. Heller Political economy of the Brazilian power industry reform Adilson de Oliveira Reform of the Chinese electric power market: economics and institutions Chi Zhang and Thomas C. Heller The political economy of Indian power sector reforms Rahul Tongia The Mexican electricity sector: economic, legal and political issues Victor G. Carreon-Rodriguez, Armando Jimenez and Juan Rosellon The political economy of power sector reform in South Africa Anton Eberhard Major conclusions: the political economy of power sector reform in five major developing countries David G. Victor and Thomas C. Heller Bibliography Index