報告書番号

Y05

タイトル（和文）

日本型自由化制度改革の総合的評価 －欧米の動向を踏まえたわが国の展望と課題－

タイトル（英文）

Overall Evaluation of the Electricity Liberalization System in Japan -Prospect and Issues learning from the Experiences in the US and Europe-

概要 （図表や脚注は「報告書全文」に掲載しております）

わが国では，2000年の電力の小売自由化が始まり7年が経過した。現在では，すべての高圧需要家を対象に競争が導入されているが，2007年４月には，電気事業分科会が再開され，全面自由化など電気事業制度改革のあり方に関する議論が始まっている。一方欧米では，わが国に先駆けて小売の自由化を行なったが，最近では，電気料金の値上げラッシュやM&Aの一層の加速化で，電力自由化は明らかに転換期にある。わが国における制度改革の今後の展望を行なうためには，内外におけるこれまでの自由化制度の評価・分析を行なう必要がある。本報告書では、わが国における電気事業制度改革の議論に資するため，内外における自由化制度の評価・分析を経済，工学，法律の観点から行ない，これを踏まえて，わが国における電力自由化の展望を行なった。

概要 （英文）

In order to contribute to the ongoing discussion about further electricity liberalization, this paper analyzes and evaluates the electricity liberalization systems in Japan as well as in the US and Europe from the viewpoints of economics, sciences of law and engineering. Further, learning from the world-wide experiences, prospects and issues of Japan' s electricity market reforms are induced. Main findings are as follows:
1. The switching rates in Japan are relatively low compared with those in the US and Europe whereas the electricity prices are decreasing steadily in Japan leading the reduction of price differences between Japan and foreign countries. As the background of this phenomenon, we can point out the potential pressure from liberalized customer groups, self-generators, and neighboring electric power companies to reduce prices.
2. Concerning the full liberalization, uncertainty is high whether the benefits overweigh the costs. However, when recognizing the significance of the expansion of retail choice, full liberalization is supported.
3. Concerning the structural unbundling, analysis of costs and benefits should be conducted from the viewpoints of reliability, economies of scope and harmonization of investments in generation and transmission in the longer term. From empirical studies in the US, separation of the transmission in the form of regional transmission organizations is not always supported.
4. When liberalizing electricity markets, the viewpoints from the customers are important. Customers evaluate and choose electricity suppliers based not only prices, but also reliability, customer services, and images of the companies. The latter non- price factors are more important than price factors.
5. Even in the full liberalization, some protection of customers is necessary. In Japan explicit stipulation is required to protect customers who do not reveal their willingness to select their suppliers. Such protection is stipulated in the name of "standard offer" or "supply obligation" in the US and Europe.
6. The following four aspects are important for power system technologies under the competitive environment: effective utilization of existing network assets, management of uncertainty, securing of transparency and fairness, and response to the diversified power supply form. It is required to ensure consistency with liberalization for steady penetration of distributed generation.
7. Reliability of electricity has the characteristics of "quasi- public goods". In order to secure enough reliability, enough generation and transmission facilities should be constructed. However, by relying only on market mechanism, enough generation and transmission facilities will not be constructed. Some element of planning or long –term perspective should be introduced.
8. Energy policy consists of increase in efficiency of the energy industry (liberalization), solving global warming problems accruing from use of energy, and securing energy security. These three policies should be implemented in a harmonized manner.

報告者

キーワード