INOGATE experts have developed the Baseline Survey that provides an independent view on the legislation and regulatory frameworks in the field of sustainable energy in six INOGATE Partner Countries (PCs), namely Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The survey also serves as a tool for comparison of RES/EE policies in INOGATE PCs and for identification of the reforms needed to promote sustainable energy development in these countries. This survey is available on the INOGATE web portal here.

From 3-7 March 2014, INOGATE experts provided technical assistance to two universities in Armenia in developing advanced curricula on sustainable energy.

European experts worked with the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) and Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction (YSUAC) and prepared a total of 14 pilot lectures aiming to improve curricula in 5 areas:

1) energy efficiency in buildings,

2) industrial energy efficiency,

3) renewable energy sources,

4) sustainable energy policy and

5) energy economics.

In March, INOGATE experts presented one pilot lecture in each of the 5 topics to live audiences of undergraduates, graduate students and professors. ITS experts identified topics that were new to the universities and added value to their curricula.

The assistance provided also enabled Armenian professors to continue the training as well as revising and updating the lectures in the future. Through this type of technical assistance, INOGATE is contributing to the preparation of more qualified professionals in EE and RES, thereby supporting the longer-term development of sustainable energy in the country.

From 25 February to 1 March 2014, a team of INOGATE Technical Secretariat (ITS) experts conducted a workshop on financing of energy efficiency (EE) / renewable energy sources (RES) projects for the Union of Credit Organizations of the Republic of Armenia (UCORA) in Yerevan.

The ITS has been reinforcing the knowledge and skills of banking sector employees in INOGATE Partner Countries to facilitate investment in sustainable energy and to mitigate risks for successful implementation of EE/RES projects. This workshop was the third in a series organised by ITS in Armenia.

Participants acquired hands-on skills for developing and evaluating EE/RES projects and how to create optimal financing structures and conditions for such projects. During the 5 days of lectures and practical exercises, the participating bankers, loan officers and investment specialists learned how to improve EE/RES lending conditions and how to design and install suitable and flexible lending products.

Overall, these new skills and knowledge will help credit organisations to enhance their portfolio of EE/RES investments and strengthen their position in financial markets through cooperation with international financial institutions.

The workshop was provided by the ITS in cooperation with the Finance for Economic Development (FED) Program of USAID. The documents and materials related to this workshop are available here.

Around 100 key energy players from across Georgia gathered for the information event, “INOGATE as a successful EU Energy Cooperation Programme: Achievements in Georgia and the Way Forward in 2014”. The event was jointly organised by Georgia's Ministry of Energy and the EU’s INOGATE Technical Secretariat. The meeting reviewed INOGATE’s technical assistance support over the last years and participants agreed on how best to target upcoming INOGATE assistance in 2014 for the benefit of Georgian institutions.

The main topic was the cooperation between the INOGATE Programme and Georgia in the areas of electricity and gas, electricity market transformation and sustainable energy. The main priorities agreed upon for upcoming technical assistance in 2014 include:

• Support to the Ministry of Energy in energy sector reform in anticipation of full membership of the Energy Community, and development of the electricity market in conformance with the principles set out in the Georgian Electricity Market Model (GEMM2015) strategy.

• Support in developing and reviewing tariff methodologies for electricity and gas in line with EU practices.

• Support to the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC) in developing and rehabilitating the Gas Transmission Pipeline Network in accordance with European Norms and Standards.

• Capacity building for the Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GEOSTM) and support for the adoption and use of EU electricity and gas standards and codes, including the preparation of a Road Map and Action Plan for the harmonisation of standards and support for technical committees.

• Assistance to the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GEOSTAT) in compiling annual energy balances for 2013 and implementing surveys in the enterprise and household sectors;

• Increased attention to sustainable energy and investments to the energy sector by geospatial mapping of renewable energy sources.

The participants included representatives of central and local governments, major energy companies, academic institutions, international financial organisations, local financial institutions and representatives of civil society. Information on the event and complete documentation can be found here.