Resources

Since the end of 2015, the Buhari government has introduced major reforms to gasoline and kerosene subsidies, with a new “price modulation” policy that has seen upward adjustments in the price of both fuels—at the same time that major problems with supply continue, driving domestic prices above official levels in many areas. This study conducts a detailed analysis of the compensation mechanisms that could be used to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on weak and vulnerable segments of Nigerian society. The study suggests actionable proposals that the government could pursue if it decides that it must mitigate the social impact of ongoing future price increases as well as pro-poor policies in which the government could invest as part of its general budgeting, given the fiscal space created by subsidy reforms.

Electricity distribution utilities in India are currently unable to cover the cost of their operations from the sale of electricity. This report presents the findings of a household survey that sheds light on the awareness and views of different socioeconomic and geographical groups regarding electricity subsidies and electricity tariff reform. It concludes that there is a significant lack of awareness of the existence and size of electricity subsidies, although subsidy reform is a tough sell. At the same time, surveyed households recognize that higher power prices would have significant negative impacts on their daily activities, and some of them show willingness to pay for a more reliable power supply.

If we aim to reduce global emissions in order to limit global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, then the energy sector is of paramount importance. Many countries and regions are making this switch: from subsidising fossil fuels and towards investing in sustainable energy. This report describes how Ethiopia, Morocco, Peru and the Philippines have reformed their subsidies. It also describes how countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have introduced innovative policy instruments to encourage switching towards  renewable and sustainable energy.

This report seeks to assess the cost to the Chinese government, in terms of subsidies, of operating and investing in coal-fired electricity generators, the predominant source of electricity in China.

India is one of the world's largest users of kerosene, most of which is provided at highly subsidized prices and at significant fiscal cost to poor households through the national Public Distribution System.

In addition to Indonesia’s objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in their generation mix, the country’s electricity sector is facing a number of challenges, notably the need to meet rising demand for electricity and to serve consumers in geographically remote regions. This report demonstrates that subsidies are still an important part of the state-owned electricity company and that remote areas are not seeing previous improvements in the same way as populated ones are. Also, coal generation is getting the main focus of the capacity-increase programs, despite the important potential of renewable sources.

This report explores current knowledge on energy subsidy reforms and gender through a review of existing literature. First, it sets out the global context of energy subsidies, energy access and gender empowerment. It then reviews literature on gender, energy access, fossil fuel subsidies and mitigation measures related to subsidy reform, such as cash transfers. Finally, it provides an overview of these issues across three focus countries: Bangladesh, India and Nigeria, as well as case studies on Peru, Mexico and Morocco.

Over the last 10 years, China has seen an unprecedented deployment of wind power, with capacity growing from 1.26 gigawatts (GW) in 2005 to 91.4 GW at the end of 2013. This report takes a closer look at the drivers behind the impressive wind power development in China in order to understand the complex connection between the policy goals, policy measures and development impact. In particular, it considers two related issues that have been encountered—curtailment of generation and delays in connection of projects—and how these are being addressed. The report aims to identify the lessons to be learned to inform future policy measures in China and elsewhere.

In the past few weeks and months, Ukrainian media has been peppered with diametrically opposed pieces of analysis and commentary on energy pricing and energy subsidy reform. On one side, the central government, with the support of international donors, as well as Naftogaz, the national gas supplier, is running an information campaign on why energy subsidy reform is a much-needed move for Ukraine. On the other side, there are continued reports of city councils and populist parties' activists protesting against the “unconstitutional” decision of the central government to increase tariffs for gas and electricity according to an accelerated schedule.