ESTIMATIVAS DAS ELASTICIDADES PREÇO E RENDA DA DEMANDA POR ENERGIA ELÉTRICA RESIDENCIAL E POR REGIÃO GEOGRÁFICA DO BRASIL

Abstract

This work presents the results of the estimates of elasticity of price and income relative to the demand for electric energy of the residential class in the five geographical regions of Brazil, performed by the method of multiple linear regression, during the period of 2003 to 2012, adopting the base of current data. The model and the coefficients used were estimated on the basis of a classic linear model, wherein the function of demand of electric energy is a function of the type Cobb Douglas, being in line with what was done by Modiano (1984) and Andrade & Lobão (1997), who adopted the model of calculating estimates of the demand for electricity in the residential class. What is important is to verify the hypothesis with regard to the function of the demand for electric energy in the residential class, upon which it was possible to show the differences in the results of elasticity of price and income among the geographical regions of the country. The econometric tests showed evidence of the existence of priceand income-elasticity in the demand among the regions, which could be an indication, to some extent, of the need for future sectorial projections of the supply and demand for electric energy in the country, respecting the regional.