New Thinking on Reform of Electricity Price Mechanism

The price mechanism has always been the focus of attention. So, what determines the price mechanism? What is a reasonable electricity price mechanism? How to perfect the price mechanism?

Government pricing and market pricing are two basic forms of electricity pricing mechanism. The role of market pricing mechanism is the basic demand for electricity reform. The electricity pricing mechanism is determined by the electric power system. It must coordinate the promotion of industrial organization and industry management reforms, lay a good foundation for market pricing, define the scope of government pricing, cohesion with the advance and retreat of the two pricing mechanisms, and deal with possible problems in the reform process. .

1. Deepen the reform of the power industry organization system and lay the conditions for the market pricing mechanism to play a role.

The electricity industry chain consists of production, transportation, and consumption. Transportation is an intermediate link and is the link between production and consumption. According to the status quo of China's power industry organization, there are three major reform measures: nurturing market players, resolving the issue of supply and demand mechanism, optimizing the market structure, and resolving competition mechanisms; setting up a market platform to solve the transaction realization problem. At present, basic consensus has been reached on the basic direction (marketization) and overall goals (power, vitality, openness, competition, orderliness, and effective supervision of the electricity market system under the government) of the power system reform. The fierce disputes are mainly focused on the specific path or mode of industrial organization reform. Here are the following three:

A, online sales separately. Separation of the power marketing function from the power grid and the establishment of an independent power sales company with regional and provincial organizations as the sole responsibility for the power marketing business and general service obligations. The transmission and distribution industry still belongs to the same power grid enterprise, but it cannot engage in electric energy marketing business. The main source of income for the power grid is changed from the current purchase and sales price difference to the over-net fee (transmission and distribution price × net power).

B, transmission and distribution separately. Separation of cross-regional (provincial) power transmission assets and functions, the formation of an independent national transmission company, responsible for cross-regional (provincial) power transmission business, not engaged in energy marketing business, the source of income for the transmission price × transmission power. Independent provincial power distribution companies are set up. The economically advanced provinces may consider setting up more than two cities. The provincial government shall control power generation, transmission, and other social capital shares, and be responsible for regional energy marketing, assume universal service obligations, and directly purchase large-scale users. The electricity has received the net fee, but it can act on behalf of other users to engage in the business of electricity trading. The main sources of income are divided into two categories: large users directly trade, transmit electricity, distribution price, transmit electricity, and supply electricity to other users, purchase and sale spreads, and transmit electricity. .

C. Grid split. Separation of cross-regional transmission assets and functions to form an independent national transmission company, specifically responsible for cross-regional power transmission business, not engaged in energy marketing business, the source of income for the transmission price × transmission of electricity. With reference to China Southern Power Grid Corporation, the assets of the State Grid Corporation were split and reorganized into independent East China, Central China, North China, Northwest, and Northeast Power Grid Corporations. The power grid assets of each province became subsidiaries or subsidiaries of the corresponding regional companies. The regional company is responsible for the transmission of electric energy in the region and assumes universal service obligations. The profit model is divided into two categories: the revenue source for large users directly trading is transmission and distribution price × transmission power, and the source of income for other users' power supply services is the difference between purchase and sales. × Transfer power.

The three approaches are all aimed at eliminating the barriers to transactions between buyers and sellers, and promoting the direct purchase of power by large users; changing the profit model of power grid companies and promoting the efficiency of power grid operations; cultivating multiple entities to purchase and sell electricity, and promoting the optimization of market structure. Regardless of the approach taken, new designs for electricity prices, dispatch, and transactions are needed.

About electricity prices. All three methods require the separation and separation of main and auxiliary facilities, and the separation of multiple main systems, the rationalization of the transmission and distribution costs of the power grid, and the introduction of transmission and distribution costs, but the degree is different. In the A-way, it is necessary to sort out the transmission and distribution costs of the power grid. According to the access voltage level, the transmission and distribution tariffs for large-user direct transactions are introduced, and it is not necessary to distinguish between transmission and distribution, and the price of electricity is separately introduced. In the B method, the transmission cost of the national transmission company and the distribution cost of the provincial distribution company need to be clarified and the independent transmission and distribution power prices are separately issued. In the C method, the transmission cost of the national transmission company needs to be clarified and the transmission power price must be clarified. Clearing the distribution grid costs of the regional grid companies and introducing transmission and distribution tariffs.

About transactions. All three methods require the establishment of a grid-independent power trading center. In order to ensure the fairness and fairness of the trading center as a third party, it should be jointly funded and set up by related parties. It is mainly responsible for organizing the implementation of market trading activities. The source of income is mainly transaction fees. Trading centers can be managed directly by professional regulatory agencies.

About scheduling. All three methods need to change the scheduling rules to service transaction results, ensure power security, and promote operational efficiency. The dispatching institution settings need to be adjusted to different degrees. In the A mode, the dispatching organization can continue to remain in the grid and the dispatch management system remains unchanged. In the B mode, the national transmission company reserves inter-regional and inter-provincial dispatches, and the provincial power distribution companies retain intra-provincial dispatch. In the C-mode, the national transmission company is responsible for inter-regional dispatch, and the regional power grid company is responsible for intra-regional dispatch. Power dispatching is supervised by professional regulatory agencies, and dispatching and trading must be well connected.

The above three methods are all conducive to promoting the process of reform of the power market, and to give greater play to the role of the market pricing mechanism. However, there must be certain differences in the effectiveness of the reform, the cost of reform, and the risk of reform. According to the three principles of whether the relative reform goal is the most effective, the relative reform cost is the lowest, and the relative electric safety risk is the minimum, the subjective assessment is as follows: A. Effectiveness, cost, risk, B, high efficiency, high cost, risk, C Effectiveness, cost, and risk.

In view of the complexity of the power reform itself and the fact that the reform has entered the deep water area, and in accordance with the principle of being both positive and safe, we can pilot in different ways and establish one or two ways to promote the country based on accumulated experience and consensus. .

2. Advance the reform of the management system of the power industry and redefine the areas where the government pricing mechanism will play a role.

The first is to change the way electricity prices are managed. The price of electricity for ordinary residents and special users, and the price of electricity transmission and distribution are still priced by the government. The price of electricity sold by ordinary residents can be set by the local governments at the provincial level, and they can be allowed to float. Other sectors use market pricing, and electricity prices are formed by the market. For the government pricing link, it is necessary to formulate the licensing cost and license income method on the basis of clarifying the cost, scientifically verify the transmission and distribution price, and the ordinary residents and special user electricity prices can be reasonably determined through social hearings. For the market pricing, it is necessary to make full use of the market mechanism by formulating market rules and strengthening market supervision. The costs and benefits of dispatch agencies and trading centers are supervised by professional regulatory agencies.

The second is to straighten out the division of responsibilities of management. Rationally define the scope of duties for macro management, industry management and professional supervision, as well as the central and local authorities. Macro management is mainly responsible for economic operation monitoring, research and formulation of industrial policies and pricing policies, industry management is mainly responsible for the research and formulation of industrial strategy and industrial planning of coal and oil and gas, and professional supervision is mainly responsible for market access, market regulation and technical standards. Administrative law enforcement, as well as the specific implementation of development strategies, industrial planning, industrial policies, and price policies. The investment of the project is still included in the scope of state regulation within a certain period of time. Others, including power generation, market access, etc., are managed by professional regulatory agencies in a market-based manner. Through the formulation of development plans, establishment of market rules, and improvement of laws and policies, we have gradually changed our current plans for management of investment, electricity, and electricity prices. We have given full play to the government's guidance, guidance, and regulation to further strengthen the government's professional supervision and promote the transformation of government functions.

To adapt to management methods, division of responsibilities, changes in the energy situation and energy status, it is necessary to adjust the establishment of government agencies and promote the reform of the power management system. The power management system is the same as the industrial organization system. There are many ways to reform the power management system.

A. The formation of the State Department of Energy (Supervision Committee). In accordance with the principles of unity, efficiency, and professionalism, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the National Energy Administration will form the main body, integrate the functions of other ministries and commissions, and set up the Ministry of Energy of the People's Republic of China (which may also be called the National Energy Regulatory Commission). Responsible for the development of the energy industry strategy, industrial planning, industrial policy, as well as market access, market norms, technical standards, electricity price inspections, administrative law enforcement and other industries within all matters.

B. The formation of the Ministry of Energy and the National Energy Regulatory Commission. In accordance with the principle of small government and major supervision, the division of industry management and professional supervision is divided. The Ministry of Energy is established to be responsible for the development of the energy industry, industrial planning, industrial policy, and other industrial matters. The National Energy Regulatory Commission is established to be responsible for professional issues such as market access, market regulation, technical standards, electricity price inspection, and administrative enforcement, and is responsible for energy. The specific organization and implementation of industry strategy, planning and policies.

C. Maintain the current status of the management system and adjust the energy management functions. In accordance with the principles of macro-management, industry management, and professional supervision and division of labor, the energy management function will be appropriately adjusted. The National Development and Reform Commission is mainly responsible for the monitoring and control of the country's macroeconomic operations, including the energy industry, as well as the study and formulation of development policies and pricing policies for the national economic and industrial sectors. The National Energy Administration is mainly responsible for the development strategy of the energy industry, development planning, and the verification of investment projects for energy projects, etc., and cooperates with the National Development and Reform Commission to do other related work. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission is mainly responsible for market access, market regulation, technical standards, administrative enforcement, and professional issues such as development strategies, industrial planning, industrial policies, and specific implementation of pricing policies, and cooperates with the National Development Committee and the National Energy Administration to do other related work. . At the same time, the division of powers between the central and local governments should be clarified.

All of the above three methods are conducive to changing the problems of cross-functional, unclear division of labor, and inefficiency in macro-management, industry management, and professional supervision. In order to promote the reform of the industrial organization system, build a power market system, and play a role in the market pricing mechanism. Provide a solid management system protection. Personally think that A mode is more in line with China's national conditions and the needs of energy development.

3, system design, overall advancement, to ensure the convergence and coupling of the two mechanisms advance and retreat.

The first is to coordinate the promotion of power system reform. The industrial organization system and the industry management system are both an important part of the power system. It is necessary to rationalize the electricity pricing mechanism to cultivate market players, optimize market structure, establish market platforms, regulate market order, change management methods, change government functions, and adjust institutional settings. As a systematic project, the reform work will be coordinated and promoted to ensure the convergence and coupling between the two mechanisms.

The second is to strengthen the organization and leadership of the reform work. The rationalization of electricity pricing mechanism involves the power industry organization system and industry management system, and must strengthen the organization and leadership of the reform work. It is recommended that authoritative reform and leadership institutions be restructured to be responsible for the study, formulation, and implementation of various reform programs, including industrial organizations and industry management, and timely and properly handle major issues arising during the reform process.

The third is to do a good job in risk prevention and disposal plans. Research and formulate supporting regulations and policies, clean up, revise and improve the current provisions of the “Law on Electricity”, “Regulations on Power Supervision” and other laws and regulations, and promptly revise and formulate tariffs, dispatching, transaction-related provisions, and other supporting regulations for implementation of reforms. Provide legal protection. Objectively assess risks and problems that may arise from reforms such as cross-subsidization of electricity prices, central local interest patterns, sources of power grid investment, and operational safety of power systems, and study and formulate risk prevention and disposal plans to ensure the safety and stability of the power system.