On March 12, 2020, a meeting was held at the Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA) headquarters within the framework of the European Union's Eastern Partnership Program. The main purpose of the meeting was to study the issues of the European Commission related to energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, climate and the environment in the Eastern Partnership countries, as well as to study the experience of the AERA in preparing relevant recommendations for the EU.
European Commission expert Morten Sondergaard, Chief Adviser to the Danish Energy Authority, thanked for the reception and informed about the goals and objectives of the relevant EU study. After a short presentation on his mission, he was interested in the main directions of AERA activities, regulated areas, tariffs and prospects for the use of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan.
Welcoming the guest, Deputy Chairman of the AERA Rovshan Ismayilov informed about the main goal of AERA, about the work done in a short period, including the directions and prospects of the Agency's institutional development and the existing regulatory framework.
Answering the question about setting tariffs, Ismayilov noted that the current tariffs in the housing and utilities sector were adopted mainly in 2016, and during this period there were changes in the natural gas limit for the population. He noted that the Agency is currently developing new tariff methods in the field of regulation, as well as best practices that meet the requirements of the transition to a liberal market model in this area.
Answering the guest's question about the prospects for increasing the powers of the Agency for Regulation of Water Supply, Domestic Waste and Wastewater, Rovshan Ismayilov said that currently the law regulates only three areas - electricity and heat, as well as natural gas, but the expansion of powers is possible within the framework of the relevant strategic roadmap.
Morten Sondergaard was interested in the "green" tariff, the conditions for the inclusion of wind and solar energy in the network. He spoke about the importance of renewable energy sources, the importance of new building standards and requirements, the benefits of energy saving and the Malaysian experience of the organization he represents.
Deputy Chairman of the Board of AERA Rovshan Ismailov emphasized the importance of alternative and renewable energy sources, the application of the best European practices, the importance of attracting foreign investors to the country's energy sector.
The meeting ended with an agreement to further strengthen ties.
