SAARC Framework For Energy Cooperation Finalised
Power Deliberations On a Regional Basis: SAARC Framework For Energy Cooperation Finalised
The fifth SAARC Energy Ministers Meeting has just concluded with the finalisation of the SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity). This is a significant step forward for the Ministers’ meeting. The agreement has been pending since the year 2010.
This is an important step forward for the development of the SAARC Market for Electricity (SAME) for the region. The meetings with the Ministers concluded the framework agreement from the respective governments so that the deal could be made in the coming SAARC summit to be held in the month of November in 2014 at Nepal'c capital city, Kathmandu.
India has put forth the proposal for the Seminar on “Sharing Experiences on Energy Pricing Mechanism in the SAARC Region” to be hosted in India apart from the Second Meeting of the Expert Group on Technology/Knowledge Sharing in 2015. Meeting of Energy Regulators /Bodies in SAARC countries by December 2014 will be convened by Bangladesh.
The Meeting held the Expert Groups have already finalised their ToR and Work Plans plus they urged the lead Member States to continue convening of Expert Group meetings regularly, preferably on a yearly basis. The Member States informed those present at the Meeting of the initiatives taken with respect to Renewable Energy projects.
The matter has also been referred to the Expert group on Renewable Energy for deliberations ahead. Around 8 reports of earlier meetings of the Working Group on Energy, separate Expert Groups on Electricity, Technology and Knowledge Sharing, Renewable Energy and the reports of the Inter-governmental Meetings on “Study on South Asian Regional Power Exchange”, organised by ADB were approved during the meeting.
2 Concept Reports namely, “Framework for planning cross-border transmission links and associated system strengthening through joint system studies” and “Operation of stable and secure SAARC Electricity grids” were presented by India.
Bangladesh prepared the Concept Paper on “Structures, functions and institutional mechanisms for SAARC regulatory issues on electricity exchange/trade” and the same would be circulated among Member States, shortly. Member States will offer their views and/or comments on the Concept Papers by 31 December this year.
SAARC or the South East Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is a key regional body with important role to play in power generation in recent times. The finalisation of this framework is a major step forward for the nations to prosper.
