Getting fair institutional conditions for district heating consumers: Insights from Denmark and Sweden

Leire Gorroño-Albizu and Jaqueline de Godoy

Energy, 2021, vol. 237, issue C

Abstract: District heating is expected to play an important role in the EU for the implementation of a low carbon energy system with high shares of renewables. Empirical examples from several countries show that district heating companies can misuse their monopoly position, hampering district heating adoption. To address this issue, it is necessary to develop and implement institutional frameworks that promote fair conditions for consumers. However, it is still unclear how to do this. This article reviews the institutional conditions implemented in Denmark and Sweden from the start of district heating until the present and analyses why different institutional configurations have managed or failed to promote fair conditions for consumers. The analytical framework for consumer power in natural monopolies is applied. The data is collected via a structured literature review, interviews with experts and other data sources such as resolutions of consumer complaints, relevant stakeholders’ websites and legal documents. The results indicate that local ownership, transparency and communication have been of key importance to reduce prices in both countries. Further research is necessary to fully understand how the institutional conditions have influenced product and customer relation quality. Lessons from Denmark and Sweden are outlined.

Keywords: District heating; Consumer power; Policies and public regulation; Ownership and citizen participation; Technology adoption; Fair institutional conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:237:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221018636

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121615

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