The Economy-Wide Effects of Price-Reducing Reforms in Infrastructure Services in South Africa
Prices of infrastructure services in South Africa may be higher than in other countries because of imperfect competition, non-tariff barriers to trade, or inefficiencies in production. A static computerised general equilibrium (CGE) model is used to analyse the economy-wide effects of reducing telecommunications and transport prices by reforming each of these three factors. This modelling…
read more >>Comment on Eskom’s Proposal for Price Increase in 2008/9
This is a submission made to NERSA in respect of its MYPD review. Eskom is seeking additional price increases above the 14.2% already approved, that is, a 100% real increase over two years. Altman investigates the potential economic impact of differently distributed pricing or rationing options to reduce peak electricity usage and electricity consumption. She…
read more >>The Impact of Electricity Price Increases and Rationing on the South African Economy: Potential Energy Savings A Review by Sector and a Review of Potential Incentives to Promote Energy Efficiency
Altman et al. highlight major developments and influences on energy efficiency in four sectors of the South African economy. The paper also reviews measures for a package of tools that government could use to stimulate energy efficiency in these sectors. These incentive tools could encourage alternative energy investments and promote investment in physical or process…
read more >>Comment on Eskom’s MYPD 2 Proposal
This is a submission to NERSA (South Africa’s energy regulator) in respect of the MYPD2. Eskom applied to NERSA in respect of the second round of a three-year Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD2) for the period 2010/11–2012/13. Its initial submission in September 2009 requested a 45% nominal increase in each of the three years. A second…
read more >>The Impact of Electricity Price Increases and Rationing on the South African Economy,
Davies assesses the economic impact of electricity cuts on the South African economy. The paper investigates the potential economic impact of differently distributed pricing or rationing options to reduce peak electricity usage and electricity consumption. More specifically, it assesses the economy-wide impact of a reduction in electricity use of up to 10%, differently distributed across…
read more >>Volatility of the Real Exchange Rate of the Rand: 1990-2004
This paper forms part of the Human Sciences Research Council’s project on exchange rates and employment (MACRO006), which seeks to understand the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on employment in South Africa. It serves as a preliminary, qualitative study of the volatility of the rand. Hodge starts by explaining the nature of the foreign exchange…
read more >>Exchange Rate and Employment Project: Overview
Ngandu summarises the Human Sciences Research Council’s project on the relationship between the exchange rate and employment outcomes, and its possible policy implications. While there appears to be consensus that the currency is too volatile, little attention has been paid to what an employment-inducing exchange rate would be. The suite of papers in the exchange…
read more >>When Might an Exchange Rate Depreciation Be Growth Inducing or Contractionary?
This paper forms part of an Human Sciences Research Council project on exchange rates and employment, which seeks to understand the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on employment in South Africa. The South African government has the aim of accelerating the rate of economic growth and sustaining it at higher levels. It also aims to…
read more >>The Impact of Exchange Rate Movements on Employment: The Economy-Wide Effect of a Rand Appreciation
The volatility of the exchange rate is a particular concern for South Africa, since the country must dramatically expand sustainable employment while also raising value added in production. These objectives are not necessarily complementary in a minerals-exporting economy. This paper, part of an Human Sciences Research Council project on the relationship between exchange rates and…
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