Deregulation and the New Power Company Model for Mergers and Acquisitions

Abstract

The question for us today clearly is not whether deregulation will lead to mergers and acquisitions in the power industry, but whether the emergence of the so-called “new power company” model will spur development in the future, or will be stymied by inability to adapt to the regulatory and operational consequences of what Governor Davis termed California's “colossal and dangerous” failure. Fueling the market possibilities for power company mergers and acquisitions is the strategic belief that deregulation has created the possibility for new power companies that will be able to implement new business service models, apply new technologies, and converge with other industries such as telecom and real property management. Because of the uncertainty and turbulence in the regulatory environment, a detailed deregulation audit is recommended for power company mergers and acquisitions.