Introduction: Financial implications of regulations in the energy industry

The characteristics of the energy industry lead to natural monopoly. The technological and economic features of the industry are such that a single provider is often able to serve the overall demand at a lower total cost than any combination of smaller entities could. Competition cannot thrive under these conditions. For this reason, the regulations on this industry are not only targeted at fair pricing but also ensuring reliability and safety. Regulations on energy industry also target at their environmental impact as well. This book provides cross country studies on the financial, economic, and legal aspects of the regulations of energy firms.