Efficient Public‐private Capital Structures

This paper presents a rationale for hybrid public‐private capital structures in public utilities. The public sector can borrow money cheaper, while private investors can spawn life‐cycle cost savings. When investment vehicles enable the internalization of the financial advantage of the public sector and the managerial advantage of the private sector, a Pareto‐efficient capital structure is achieved with both the public and private parties as shareholders. I show how different knowledge transfer schemes determine the optimal shareholding structure for the utility company.