AZERI GOV'T TO ESTABLISH ENERGY SECTOR REGULATING BODY

Baku, IAA "Trend" March 30 corr. E.Mammadova

"PA Consulting Group company jointly with the secretariat of the Tariff Council of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) works over developing a tariff methodology under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) project on assisting to energy sector of Azerbaijan," said McNeill Watkins, chief of party of PA Consulting Group, Trend reports.

He noted that the energy sector in Azerbaijan is regulated by several state bodies. The Department for management over State Property and Privatization of MED regulates the activities by Barmek Azerbaijan and Bayva. Energy tariffs are regulated by Tariff Council, which includes the representatives from the state bodies. The Ministry of Fuel and Energy implements the function of the licensing, another Department of the Ministry regulates technical and commercial relations among the enterprises.

Watkins noted thermo-power economies in Baku were under disposal of the city municipalities. The energy facilities out of the capital city are under balance of the State Committee on Construction and Architecture.

"Establishment of an only body to regulate the energy sector will enable to accumulate all functions. We will assist the government if it displays interests in this issue," he underscored.

The Azerbaijani government had undertaken a commitment before the World Bank to assist in establishment of the new body. The Azerbaijani Prime Minister stressed on it in the letter addressed to the World Bank last April, Watkins underscored.