Power Politics: Equity and Environment in Electricity Reform

Drawing from the experiences of six countries — Argentina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, and South Africa — “Power Politics” argues that electricity reform is an example of how financial globalization has fueled development based on narrow economic considerations — and calls on governments and power companies to support, rather than hinder, sustainable development throughout the world.

According to the report, electricity reforms are often targeted at reducing subsidies and increasing tariffs; these efforts trigger social hardships and make little attempt to mitigate environmental impacts. The report offers five suggestions for reforming electricity reform: framing the issue to accommodate social and environmental benefits, structuring finance around reform goals, supporting the process with government regulation, and building political strategies to support attention to a public-benefits agenda.

The report is available for $30 from the World Resources Institute. Published in 2002.