1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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).

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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 (probably at the UfM Secretariat headquarters in Barcelona)

23. 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.

24. 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