It is approaching two decades since specialist economic regulatory bodies for electricity began appearing in several countries in Southeast Asia; namely, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Some kind of economic regulation is usually considered necessary within the electricity sector because of its essential infrastructure and often limited space for true competition.  Regulation has sought to improve performance, but there are areas that warrant continued attention.  While regulatory approaches can vary depending on local circumstances, decisions and structures need to focus on delivering clear and credible outcomes.

In this edition, prepared in collaboration with John Earwaker of First Economics, we reflect on the practice and scope of economic regulation across Southeast Asia.