Euro-Mediterranean Energy Statistics Working Group EMES-WG Meeting of the Directors of the NSIs of the ENP-South countries Euro-Mediterranean Energy Statistics Working Group EMES-WG Abdelaziz BOURAHLA Key Expert for Energy Statistics 29 June 2012 Athena, GREECE

Proposal on EMES-WG mandate and activities Contents Introduction Methodology Rationale and scope of the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Statistics Working Group (EMES-WG) Proposal on EMES-WG mandate and activities Proposals for the establishment and operation of EMES- WG

Introduction The energy statistics sector was selected as one of the priorities for the regional cooperation in statistics in the “post-MEDSTAT” period (after December 2013) The importance of energy statistics was recognized as a basis for Euro-Mediterranean energy policies and projects (ex: Mediterranean Solar Plan) The Working Group would provide a pilot test for other priority sectors This concept note explores the various dimensions and possible options on how to establish the Euro- Mediterranean Energy Statistics Working Group

7 ENP South Partner Countries, EuropeAid and Eurostat (as observers) Methodology Regional meeting “Exploratory options on the Euro- Mediterranean Energy Statistics Working Group” in Barcelona on 8-9 May 2012 7 ENP South Partner Countries, EuropeAid and Eurostat (as observers) MEDSTAT III TL, KE for Energy and STE Exchange ideas on: WG concept Scope of work Functioning Participants filled in two questionnaires on cooperation priorities for the national and regional levels

Rationale and scope of the EMES-GW Over six years of regional cooperation experience within the MEDSTAT II & III programmes Participants represent the technical national working group set-up during MEDSTAT programme National coordinators (from the NSOs) and Deputy national coordinators from the Ministry of Energy or equivalent

Rationale and scope of the EMES-GW Objectives Support to: Building strong and durable capacities for the production and dissemination of energy statistics Autonomously designing, implementing and monitoring national energy statistics systems Enhancing countries’ ownership of energy statistics improvements, and further country and regional convergence towards Eurostat and IEA standards Contributing to the development of the countries’ ability to design and use evidence-based tools to monitor and evaluate progress and impacts of energy policies

Rationale and scope of the EMES-GW Expected benefits/outcomes The firm establishment of : an active and meaningful focal point for energy statistics in the region A regional network of energy statisticians, together with the existing national energy statistics working groups (NSWG) This network should enable an open technical dialogue and transparent discussions between the stakeholders facilitate and stimulate interactions, in particular to identify and share relevant experiences and good practices.

Rationale and scope of the EMES-GW Expected benefits/outcomes (2) to reinforce national energy statistics systems’ technical and management capacities, autonomy (including project funding) and ownership to contribute significantly to the enhancement of the quality of national energy statistics (relevance, reliability and availability) to be the catalyst and reference point for national energy statistics systems’ convergence in the region towards European and international standards to provide relevant, reliable and accessible energy statistics

Rationale and scope of the EMES-GW Scope of the WG The entire data cycle in Energy Statistics Primary and secondary collection Data processing and databases Reporting: energy balances, indicators (security, EE, sustainable development), prices and tariffs Dissemination and analysis

Proposal for EMES-WG mandate (1) To act as the regional gathering to exchange information on Energy Statistics technical issues and share best practice experiences To provide ad hoc technical support Capacity & institutional building Support to project development To position the WG as the Energy Data Centre Data collection, validation and storage Dissemination

Proposal for EMES-WG mandate (2) To foster statistical cooperation and coordination Forum of Euro-Med. Statisticians Donor energy statistics projects in the region (coordination and joint activities) Other regional initiatives (EuroMed Transport Working Group, Environment, etc) International reference organization (ESCWA, UNSD, IEA) and initiatives (Oslo Group, etc)

Proposal for priorities and activities (1) Exchange on technical issues and sharing best practice experiences Annual meeting to present and assess annual activities and to set regional work programme and financing; Develop and circulate information on technical issues and best practices

Proposal for priorities and activities (2) Technical support to energy statistics systems stakeholders Regional capacity building programmes (including training) on data collection (final energy consumption surveys), Energy Balances (inc. demand breakdown, renewable energy) Indicators (sustainable development, EE), energy prices and tariffs, data analysis and dissemination schemes Harmonization of statistical data standards, methodologies and tools

Proposal for priorities and activities (3) Energy Data Centre Data collection, validation and storage of ENPSPC energy statistics, in particular national energy balances, indicators as well as their analysis Dissemination of Energy Statistics, including databases, publications and analysis and Awareness raising publicity material aimed at various stakeholders within the region, the EU and outside.

Proposal for priorities and activities (4) Regional and International Cooperation Liaise with the Forum of Euro-Mediterranean Statisticians Coordinate with donor energy statistics projects (e.g. EE indicators) and regional projects (e.g. MSP, regional energy markets) Liaise with other regional sectoral initiatives (e.g. EuroMed Transport Working Group, environment) Coordinate with international organisations (ESCWA, IEA, UNSD) and initiatives (e.g. Oslo Group on Energy Statistics, InterEnerStat).

Proposals for the establishment and operation of EMES-WG Institutional set-up of EMES-WG Should be a light, operational and flexible structure Perform its assigned tasks in the face of changing priorities, demands and agendas will consist of its members and a part-time or full- time support structure, generally called “Secretariat of the Working Group”, that will provide assistance to prepare group activities

Proposals for functioning (1) Secretariat Option 1: A technical secretariat hosted by one participating country NSO Option 2: Dedicated staff (in the « Support Cell » or Secretariat) that will be hosted by Eurostat Option 3: A secretariat attached to a dedicated (different) EU-MED regional structure gathering of partner countries Option 4: Others

Proposals for functioning (2) Management Provisions should cover the arrangements and rules to manage the EMES-WG, under the Forum of the Euro-Mediterranean Statisticians to decide on global orientations, and work programme and a Secretariat to implement its decisions. The WG should meet annually (at least). The Secretariat’s mandate will be primarily to implement the WG decisions, in particular the programme of work and ensure the effective implementation of agreed activities

Proposals for functioning (3) Operation of WG meetings First step after the adoption of the WG status: Establishment of the work programme, budget, and other statutory decisions Revision of the WG activities and overall and specific development and progress of energy statistics in the region Task forces or technical committees meetings may be held on technical specific issues as and when required

Proposals for functioning (4) Operation of WG meetings Regular virtual meetings with all WG members, and/or a selection, will be held periodically with a frequency to be agreed The WG will explore the possibilities of holding meetings in EU accession and candidate countries such as Croatia and Turkey

Proposals for functioning (5) Status & internal organisation The initial step after the agreement on the establishment of the WG will be to design the legal/administrative basis for the management and operation, such as internal rules of functioning These rules should be drafted so as to ensure a degree of autonomy, including receiving and managing external funding

Proposals for functioning (6) Practical set up The most important link with MEDSTAT Energy activities should be the support and interaction with the existing 9 energy statistics national working groups (NWG) The MEDSTAT Energy Programme, which to continue until the end of 2013, will provide a valuable transition period to prepare and consolidate further the organisation and functioning of the WG. 2nd WG meeting is scheduled in the third quarter of 2012 (probably at the UfM Secretariat headquarters in Barcelona)

Proposals for functioning (7) Practical set up (cont.) The WG should develop a close cooperation with the relevant international initiatives on Energy Statistics. A first priority would be with the IEA to discuss the joint questionnaire and The second one would include discussions with the Oslo Group about the adoption of new standards, methodologies and identification of best practice.

Cost estimates and financing Staff: Expert(s) and assistants to establish the Working Group Launch priority activities during the first year Direct expenses: regional meetings, specific regional workshop(s), training events, missions and office stationeries. Budget for the 1st year of operation will be estimated after adoption of work programme. Financing sources may include: The potential ENP funds The national contributions (including in-kind and seconded staff) and Co-funding from regional or international programmes and projects