POWER SHORTAGES IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES - IMPACTS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This paper is concerned with the short- and long-run economic impacts of power supply inadequacy in developing countries. The paper provides an overview of the methodology for assessing the economic costs of power shortages, and presents monetary estimates of some components of these costs for several developing countries, particularly India and Pakistan. The final section discusses the policy implications of the problem, including the need for significant changes in investment planning and resource mobilization strategies, efficiency improvements, pricing reforms and the integration of public and private power suppliers.