Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan took part in the forum “Prospects for Renewable Energy: Financing, Investments, Regulation and New Technologies in Turkey, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Western Balkans”, which was held in Istanbul 13 February 2020.

In particular, in the framework of the panel session “Regional Prospects for the Use of Renewable Energy Sources”, Deputy Minister of Energy Sherzod Khodjaev took part in the discussion together with representatives of ministries and departments of Turkey, Georgia, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Northern Macedonia, and Kazakhstan. Specialists discussed the development and integration of renewable sources, their impact on the energy system and cross-border cooperation.

In the framework of participation in the conference, representatives of Uzbekistan held a number of meetings and negotiations. In particular, a meeting was held with the Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Alparslan Bayraktar and representatives of the Ministry. During the communication, the Uzbek side expressed interest in studying the successful Turkish experience in reforming the electricity sector and further strengthening cooperation. The Turkish side proposed to sign a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation in the area of reforming the energy sector.

Also during their stay in Istanbul, members of the delegation visited EPİAŞ / EXIST - a market operator that also acts as an energy exchange. The main activity of this company, established in March 2015, is the planning, creation, development and management of the energy market.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed the possibilities of further cooperation and exchange of experience. The delegation of Uzbekistan was acquainted with the history of the development of the energy sector in Turkey and its reform, including with good practice and emerging issues. Also presented were current market models and prospects for the development of the electricity sector.

During the trip, the delegation visited the city of Ankara, where she got acquainted with the activities of the National Dispatch Center. Representatives of the Center’s management spoke about the experience of its creation, operation, implementation of the SCADA system, technical components of load dispatching and cross-border cooperation. Specialists of the two countries discussed issues of technical dispatching and the need to separate the scheduling functions from the transmission.

Also in Ankara, a meeting of members of the delegation of Uzbekistan with the chairman and representatives of the Turkish Energy Market Regulator (EPDK / EMRA) took place. Established in 2001, the structure is the main state regulatory body for the Turkish energy market. It was noted that EMRA is an independent state institution, which is an integral element of the objective management of energy markets.

Among the responsibilities of EMRA are: issuing licenses defining the activities, rights and obligations of companies in the energy markets; tracking company market indicators; determination of performance standards; creation and monitoring of the implementation of distribution and customer service rules; determination of pricing principles.

During the meeting, the functions of an independent regulatory body, its impact on market development, and the attraction of foreign and local investment in the sector were discussed. The issues of creating the necessary regulatory framework, tariff setting and distribution of functions and responsibilities of energy companies are considered.