Scholars@Duke

Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ahmad, HF; Ali, A; Meeks, RC; Wang, Z; Younas, J
Published in: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
October 1, 2025
Published version (DOI) Publisher Link

We study the effects of a technical intervention in Karachi, Pakistan—converting bare distribution wires to aerial bundled cables (ABCs)—that was intended to prevent illegal grid connections and improve utility cost recovery. Theft-resistant cables reduced losses. This occurred primarily through decreases in unbilled consumption, with the number of formal utility customers and their billed consumption both increasing. Load-shedding outages decreased. In areas with these cables installed, consumers have more appliances and higher electricity-related expenditures. Revenue recovery rose, but consumers' billing-related complaints also increased. (JEL D24, L94, O13, Q41)

Duke Scholars

Robyn Meeks
Author Robyn Meeks Sanford School of Public Policy

Published In

American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

DOI

10.1257/app.20230468

EISSN

1945-7790

ISSN

1945-7782

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Volume

17

Issue

4

Start / End Page

60 / 99

Publisher

American Economic Association

Related Subject Headings

  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Ahmad, H. F., Ali, A., Meeks, R. C., Wang, Z., & Younas, J. (2025). Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 17(4), 60–99. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20230468
Ahmad, Husnain F., Ayesha Ali, Robyn C. Meeks, Zhenxuan Wang, and Javed Younas. “Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 17, no. 4 (October 1, 2025): 60–99. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20230468.
Ahmad HF, Ali A, Meeks RC, Wang Z, Younas J. Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. 2025 Oct 1;17(4):60–99.
Ahmad, Husnain F., et al. “Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, vol. 17, no. 4, American Economic Association, Oct. 2025, pp. 60–99. Crossref, doi:10.1257/app.20230468.
Ahmad HF, Ali A, Meeks RC, Wang Z, Younas J. Down to the Wire: Leveraging Technology to Improve Electric Utility Cost Recovery. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. American Economic Association; 2025 Oct 1;17(4):60–99.

Published In

American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

DOI

10.1257/app.20230468

EISSN

1945-7790

ISSN

1945-7782

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Volume

17

Issue

4

Start / End Page

60 / 99

Publisher

American Economic Association

Related Subject Headings

  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1402 Applied Economics