Coping with power scarcity in an emerging megacity: a consumers' perspective from Hyderabad
by Markus Hanisch, Christian Kimmich, Jens Rommel, Julian Sagebiel
International Journal of Global Energy Issues (IJGEI), Vol. 33, No. 3/4, 2010

Abstract: Facing rapid urbanisation in developing countries, public utilities' electricity management is challenged by an ever-growing demand and collapsing infrastructures. Economic growth and consumers' related behaviours add to the technical and governance problems. We analyse the ways in which consumers currently deal with power shortages in Hyderabad, India, finding consumers trapped in a typical social-dilemma situation in which individually rational behaviour produces undesirable collective outcomes. Results from a logistic regression show us the key factors, determining household preferences to contribute towards better electricity services provision and the undertaking of collective action in this regard. We find that the ability to contribute is significantly affected by age, social background, backup facilities, inadequate supply and voltage fluctuations. Willingness to cooperate mainly depends on experiences with damaged appliances and past group membership. The paper ends with conclusions for governance, policies, and further research.

Online publication date: Thu, 18-Nov-2010

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Global Energy Issues (IJGEI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com