The aim of this paper is to investigate the regionalization of energy regulation as carried out by energy regulators themselves. The issue will be tackled by focusing on the 11existing energy Regional Regulatory Associations (RRAs). These comprise over 200 national energy regulators. 6 exist within the developing world (South America, India, Africa, South-East Asia, and Caribbean); 4 comprise the developed world (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia) and the last 2 cover Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Regulators from important Asian economies (e.g. China) are not, however, part of any associations.
Studying the relationships among RRAs will enable us to uncover regional patterns of influence and how these are met by RRAs in the South and compounded with their own agendas. Using network analysis, we will map these relationships and highlight their potential consequences for regional regulatory governance in the South.
