Economic expertise
Espelia and its subsidiaries bring together a team of around ten economists, capable of meeting the increasingly specific needs of public bodies in terms of economic, technical and socio-economic studies related to infrastructure projects, utilities and territorial development.
Your challenges
Studying the socio-economic opportunity of carrying out an investment project
In a context where financing (equity, debt) is relatively available and cheap due to the money creation policies of many central banks, the socio-economic assessment of projects is particularly important. Indeed, the availability of large volumes of money to be invested could lead to the implementation of projects that do not present a satisfactory socio-economic utility or a sufficient capacity to generate revenues to recover the capital invested. Thus, it is more critical than ever to assess the usefulness of investment projects to validate them, or to redirect them to best serve the public interest.
Studying and optimizing the business model of an investment or service project
The business models of public services and infrastructure are significantly changing under the combined effects of new technologies, increased concern for biodiversity conservation, climate protection and societal changes. The transformation of business models is both a source of opportunities and risks that must be anticipated by tailor-made studies, including the assessment of potential risks and their effects. In addition, many projects' business models can be optimized by considering how to capture and monetize the value generated by such projects' implementation.
Analyzing the population's needs and ability to pay to define a service offer and an adapted tariff policy
The definition of a level of service and the associated pricing strategy requires technical-economic and socio-economic studies. The former aim at estimating the projected costs of a service; the latter allow for answering questions such as : How important is it for users to access the service ? What importance do they associate with the quality of the service ? What is their ability and willingness to pay for the service ?
Our solutions
With numerous references in the field of economic studies, the Espelia Group’s consultants have developed specialized expertise to carry out economic consulting missions for public decision-makers.
- Socio-economic assessment / cost-benefit assessment
Identification and evaluation of the socio-economic costs (impact on public finances, environmental costs, crowding out effects, etc.) and benefits of a project or portfolio of projects (impact on users' quality of life, impact on economic attractiveness, fiscal impact, impact in terms of avoided expenditure, environmental impact, etc.) and calculation of the socio-economic net present value and the socio-economic rate of return.
- Techno-economic modelling and pricing definition
Techno-economic reconstruction of investment and operating costs of infrastructure and service projects.
Definition of equilibrium tariffs and tariff grids.
- Market studies and household surveys
Analysis of the willingness and ability to pay of households based on household surveys, among others.
Assessment and projection of supply and demand.
What sets us apart
Proven knowledge of business models in all sectors of public action: Espelia's teams have excellent knowledge of economic models in all sectors of public action and are attentive observers of the evolution of these models in a wide range of territories, in France and internationally.
A prospective reflection on the transformation of business models: since 2016, Espelia has been actively participating in the "New Urban Business Models" study, which analyses the impacts of technological, environmental and societal changes of urban services' economy and gouvernance and the urban fabric.
An exhaustive economic expertise integrated with a comprehensive advisory approach : Espelia's experts have a wide range of economic expertise (macro and micro, technical and socio-economic, etc.) and work with legal, engineering and financial consultants. The economic advice provided by our team remains consistent with the other expertise required for the projects' success.
Customer case
25 years of experience at the service of public interest
Espelia supports local authorities, public stakeholders and their partners in the design, management and transformation of local public policies. A consulting firm committed to serving the public interest, Espelia mobilises strategic, legal, financial and operational expertise to help territories build sustainable and resilient solutions.
