Abstract
In compiling ESI 2006 Ed 12, ABS has built up a database of information about
the electricity supply industry in every country over the last 15 years. In
the early years this database reflected a traditionally integrated industry,
much of it state-owned. ABS classified the utilities as generators,
transmission companies or distributors. In many countries there were
vertically integrated utilities performing all three functions, often with
only one company serving an entire nation.
In 2006 the electricity supply industry is structured as a business rather
than a public service supplier, with four separate functions; generation,
transmission, distribution, supply, the last consisting of the marketing and
sales of energy. In many countries competition has been introduced to
generation and supply, while transmission and distribution are natural
monopolies, since the electricity has to be delivered physically via the same
wires Privatisation continues and this edition charts further unbundling in
the industry. The result is a mix of systems throughout the world, ranging
from traditional single vertically integrated utilities serving an entire
country, to Electricity Supply Industries with all functions operating as
separate businesses and in competition.
ESI 2006 is a report designed to outline the ESI clearly and concisely in
every country. One table summarises the characteristics of the industry, as in
the example below for Spain. Similar information is provided for all major
countries and advanced economies and in more abbreviated form for the smaller
developing counties.
ESI 2006 is available as a PDF report or in hard copy. Two additional reports
are available: ESI Companies 2006 Ed 3, an Excel database of the 7,340 ESI
companies documented in the report, and Electrostats 2006, an Excel database
of annual electricity statistics for every country, from 1991 to 2005.
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