The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Energy Economics Unit in the Department of Economics hosted an energy economics and econometrics workshop at the beginning of August 2023. The event was  organised by the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and funded by the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development  (NORHED).

Titled "Performance Measurement Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA): Application to the Energy Sector," this event brought together stakeholders from both universities and the energy industry.

The workshop challenged traditional economic assumptions by quantifying inefficiencies and productivity variations within the energy sector, considering factors like policies, regulations, technology, and market dynamics. Participants, including graduate students, researchers, and practitioners, delved into techniques like DEA and SFA, gaining hands-on experience in implementing these methodologies with real-world datasets. This practical approach bridged the gap between theory and application. 

Conference participants

One of the workshop's major successes was the synergy created between the Energy Economics Unit of UP and the MUBS Energy Economics team. Researchers, PhD candidates, and postgraduate students engaged in discussions on topics like electrical power generation, energy sector regulation, and efficiency. These interactions laid the foundation for ongoing and future collaborations. 

In summary, this workshop exemplified the power of collaboration in tackling complex challenges in the energy sector. It showcased the dedication of researchers and students to advancing energy economics, promising a fruitful partnership between UP and MUBS.