The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA) held an online meeting to evaluate the practical trainings conducted to improve the knowledge and skills of the Agency's staff.

The Chairman of the Board of the AERA Samir Akhundov, EBRD's London office chief project adviser Vesselina Haralampieva, the chief energy economist Giuseppe Grimaldi and other representatives, as well as specialists involved as experienced trainers met to discuss the project.

Participants agreed to conduct similar practical trainings on other topics.

In December 2020, after interviews with international candidates from different countries, the selection process of trainers on both topics was completed.

Mehtap Alper Saglam, expert of the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), on “Electricity Network” and Lika Gvazava, head of the operational expenditures’ audit division, tariffs and economic analysis department of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), on “Electricity Tariffs” - selected as experts.

Within the online practical meetings were organized twice a week on each topic, the Agency’s specialists expanded their knowledge by exchanging useful information.The mentoring meetings are expected to continue until April 2021.

Since January 2021, practical trainings have been launched to improve the knowledge and skills of the Agency's staff within the EBRD-supported "Support to the newly established Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency " project.