Resolution of the international regional conference on development of renewable energy resources in the countries of Central Asia and CIS

Resolution of the international regional conference on development of renewable energy resources in the countries of Central Asia and CIS.

On 12-13 May 2011 Astana hosted the regional conference on development of renewable energy resources (RES) in the countries of Central Asia and CIS. The organisers of the event were the Ministry of industry and new technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan (executive agency on this project), the Ministry of Environment Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Electricity Association and the United Nations Development Program office in Kazakhstan.

The conference aimed at presenting to national partners and international community the results achieved, experience gained and lessons learnt from the joint project of the Government of Republic of Kazakhstan, United Nations Development Program and Global Environment Facility “Kazakhstan-wind power market development initiative” as well as sharing views and experience on renewable energy development and providing recommendations for further strategies and cooperation in the field of RES development in the countries of CIS and CA region.

The conference was attended by 240 delegates from state and public organizations and businesses of 17 countries. 30 speakers presented their reports. Active participation in the event demonstrated the interest of the public in the results of the UNDP/GEF project on wind energy development in Kazakhstan and other RES.

As a result the delegates emphasized the role of using RES to achieve objectives on social-economic development in the region:

1. Provide energy security by using local renewable energy resources

2. Contribution of RES to sustainable reduction of GHG emissions in the context of increasing energy demand

3. Support of innovation development of economy through introduction of research and technology and RES equipment production

4. Support of social and economic development of rural areas and ensure the energy access.

Delegates have stressed on significant potential of using RES in social and economic development of the countries and progress in the use of RES. Regarding to this the arrangement of the regional conference on the results of the joint project between Government of RoK and UNDP/GEF is of high importance and relevance. The delegates have also emphasized the role of UNDP in the support of use of RES in the region.

Kazakhstan with UNDP/GEF support achieved valuable results in the development of wind energy: development and adoption of Law On Use of RES, contribution to the long-term program of wind energy development, assessment of wind potential in Kazakhstan, establishment of open data base for developers and investors working on wind parks projects in Kazakhstan, support MINT officials with capacity building in RES management and support the Kazakhstan Electricity Association in the establishment of RES committee. As a result there are a number of investment projects on construction of wind parks in Kazakhstan with total capacity of 300 MWt. Kyrgyzstan has succeeded in development of small hydropower stations in rural areas. Tajikistan is good at small hydro power and solar energy.

However, it was noted that the use of RES is still have administrative, institutional and financial barriers to development. Upon broad discussions the delegates developed a number of recommendations in improvement the use of RES in Kazakhstan and other countries of CA and CIS. We suggest the relevant stakeholders to use these recommendations in policy making process.

Recommendations:

1. In the sphere of public administration and support of use of RES:

· Development and adoption of long-term programs on RES using with short, mid and long-term objectives correlating with state objectives on energy security, diversification of economy and GHG emissions reduction

· The establishment of a state body coordinating the development of RES and programs implementation

· Clear legal and regulatory framework and tariff policy on the basis of international experience on fixed tariff policy which provides investments in RES

· Elimination of administrative and bureaucratic barriers and facilitation of permission procedures in approval of projects and construction of RES sites.

· Government’s involvement in RES development through pilot projects, sci-tech programs, staff trainings, public and private partnership

· Support of local content in production of RES equipment with an access to the market

· Funding RES projects by financial institutions and other funds with concessional loans, via mechanisms of Kyoto Protocol and quota trading.

2. In RES coordination and cooperation in the region:

· Ensuring the conduction of regular regional conferences for sharing experience and providing cooperation in the field of RES on high level

· Arrangement of International conference on RES development in one of the countries of the region in 2012. Submission of applications to international organizations including ARENA for hosting international conference in 2012

· Cooperation with stakeholders and international partners on a regular basis on the issues of knowledge and technology sharing, investments attraction

3. In the sphere of public and stakeholders awareness:

· Systematic coverage by national media the development of RES in the country and a whole region

· Regular trainings of journalists in the sphere of RES to ensure proper and reliable analytical materials.