Market Access in International Electricity Trade: Is the Light On?

Abstract

The issue of market access in international electricity trade deserves some scholarly attention, particularly in the light of the increasing commitment in combating climate change globally. The ongoing climate change problem represents both a challenge for the world and an opportunity for investors in the electricity sector. In crystallizing this opportunity, investors must bear in mind how much are the lights on in the markets where they would like to invest, which in turn should take them to look at the rules on market access that are explained in this article. Likewise, investors, governments, and businessmen alike should take into account what is the level of market access that prevails in their main export markets, even beyond the climate change problem. Against this backdrop, this article examines market access rules in international electricity trade under WTO Law and relevant regional trade arrangements. The ultimate goal of this piece is to flesh out the actual level of market access that prevails in the world for international electricity trade.