The coming electric Wal-Mart

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:6149598

Drzemiecki, J H; Augustini, P

Market power in the competitive electric marketplace will depend on being a low-price leader. Electric utility executives are beginning to peer over the wall into the emerging world of competitive electric markets. Many will be terrified by the uncertainties and disorder associated with new service offerings such as retail wheeling and the transformation of other vestiges of the vertically integrated electric monopolies known for the past 100 years. The potential for increased competition for retail customers promises to have as fundamental an effect on the electric utility industry as Wal-Mart has had on retailing. Firms that are prepared for the new competitive environment will be in the strongest position to respond to the marketplace; those that are not prepared might want to consider the fate of the corner five-and-dime. To remain competitive, utility executives must take proactive steps to redefine their vision of their company's future. Such a redefinition must include a candid assessment of the strategies to be taken to reposition their firm to succeed, not just within the existing service area but in multiple markets.

• OSTI ID: 6149598
• Journal Information: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 131:14; ISSN PUFNAV; ISSN 0033-3808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
240700 -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- Economic
Industrial & Business Aspects-- (1990-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
BUSINESS
COMPETITION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
FORECASTING
LAWS
MARKET
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER TRANSMISSION
PRICES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RETAIL PRICES
US DOE
US ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT
US FERC
US ORGANIZATIONS
WHOLESALE PRICES