Baku, Fineko/abc.az. By his next decree the Azerbaijani President has endorsed the Statute on the State Agency for Alternate & Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Industry & Energy of Azerbaijan.

Under the decree, the MIE will issue licenses for activity (engineering, construction and operation) in the area of use of alternate and renewable energy sources. In this connection within a month the Cabinet Ministers should approve special rules and report of that to the President.

The Cabinet was also commissioned to bring standard legal base in accord with the decree.

The Agency was established in compliance with the relevant presidential decree from 16 July 2009.

It will regulate, organize and carry out state control over relevant activity. IN particular the Agency was charged with making the proposals for promotion and financing for engineering, construction and operation of relevant sites, including production of necessary equipment. Alternate and renewable energy sources include solar, wind, biological, geothermal, water and other types of energy. The Agency will undertake registration of their use at all kinds of enterprises, develop and apply state standards.

The Agency will be headed by director to be appointed by the industry & energy minister.

The Agency will have 25 established posts. The Statute on the MIE was also been specified in connection with Agency’s creation.

The Ministry also comes forwards for establishment of the Coordinating Council for realization of the State Program of Renewable Energy Sources that will allow obtaining the result in this important direction for short terms.

Currently Azerbaijan is a net exporter of oil, petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity. At the same time the State Fuel & Energy Complex Programme stipulates development of sector of alternate and renewable energy. Its current consumption does not exceed 10% of overall power generation.

A couple of years ago Asian Development Bank prepared the Concept of Alternate & Renewable Energy for Azerbaijan and was ready to finance up to $30 million credit line for its realization. The government then postponed the project and used only ADB’s legal and institutional recommendations.

12.11.2009 10:45