Competition considerations in change ownership reforms for electric cooperatives

Change ownership reforms for electric cooperatives (ECs) have once again attracted policymakers' interest due to current e!orts in expediting their privatization. This note serves as input to this ongoing conversation using the lens of competition. We argue that unchecked consolidation - especially vertical integration along the power supply chain from generation to distribution - may cause more pernicious e!ects on the industry and welfare than existing ine"ciencies of ECs. Consistent with Canlas & Jandoc (2025), we support a franchise competition regime where the threat of displacement may foster an overall competitive behavior among existing and potential players. The necessary conditions for and the challenges to implementing an e!ective competition for the market framework are determined.