Traditionally, network effects have allowed us to socialize costs (and socialize benefits) in power, water, gas, roads and communications. We've used very different models in different places for each of these "natural monopolies" that get constructed.

When consumers opt out en masse, these systems collapse if they're not actually socialized - and where there is no actual financial benefit to consumers for going "off-grid" since they're still paying with taxes or equivalent.

I'd love to see an analysis of the different approaches in the different phases, possibly including TV-for-public benefit, like the BBC or NPR too.

I think this is a quite an interesting perspective. When systems transform from centralized to distributed monopolies disappear and entire business models needs to change.

In the short term I think the grid fees will transition to a fixed price connection fee for your "backup" supply with the per kWh charge reflecting the actual costs associated with transfering the electricity.

I don't expect northern Europe to give up the grid, but for places closer to the equator, like Pakistan, we're seeing this in action. [1]

[1]: https://www.transitionzero.org/shedding-light-on-pakistans-d...