Trends in the management of regulation: A comparison of energy regulators in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation1

This paper studies the design and functions of energy regulatory agencies building on a cross-country analysis of energy regulators in OECD (Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation) member countries. There is a strong trend towards specialization of the regulatory function that has resulted in the creation of separate regulatory organizations in many of the countries examined. Regulatory organizations, however, show significant differences in their independence, powers, and relationship with the executive branch of the government. The focus of this paper is on two questions.