Att studera den svenska elmarknaden : En ekonometrisk analys av relationen mellan pris och kvantitet

Sammanfattning: This thesis examines how an econometric model, which allows for simultaneity, performs when estimating electricity supply and demand on the Swedish aggregated electricity market, divided into its four price areas. Previous research and theory points to the importance of taking simultaneity into consideration when estimating simultaneous equation models. The purpose of the thesis is to clarify whether a simultaneous equation model is adequate for estimation of the Swedish electricity market. To answer the question, the existence of simultaneity between electricity price and quantity (produced and consumed electricity) is examined. Regression analyses are performed for each price area and the coefficients are estimated with 2SLS, while Hausman tests and F-tests are carried out to unveil potential simultaneity. The results show that the performance of the model of the thesis varies: the coefficients of the price variables in the demand functions are never statistically significant, while the coefficients of the monthly dummy variables in most cases have expected signs and are statistically significant, especially during summer. Regarding the supply side, the results show that net export have the expected positive statistically significant effect on quantity of electricity supplied in price areas 2, 3, and 4, while the signs and significance of the coefficients of the price variables varies. A price increase in area 3 has a statistically significant positive effect on supply in all areas, while the price of area 4 has a statistically significant negative effect on supply in area 3 and 4. A price increase in area 1 leads to a statistically significant positive effect on supply only in area 2, while such a change in the price of area 2 is associated with a statistically significant decrease of the supply in that same area. As to simultaneity between price and quantity demanded, the Hausman tests gives sufficient evidence to conclude that simultaneity exists in all price areas. Similarly, on the supply side the performed F-tests result in clear evidence of existence of simultaneity.