1. 1 1 Expert Group Energy Balances Opening remarks May 18, 2009, Oslo Olav Ljones, Chair Oslo Group

2. 2 The idea behind this expert group Stimulate the process in the Oslo Group, keep the time plan The Chair of the expert group:Torstein Bye, Director Departement of Economics, Energy and the Environment, Statistics Norway The update of the 1982 UN Handbook Concepts and methods in Energy Statistics, with special reference to Energy Accounts and Balances IRES and ESCM UNSC 2011, Oslo Group Meeting February 2010 - The conclusive discussion in Oslo Group.

3. 3 Energy Balances, what, why and how? Official statistics –official energy statistics – consistency and a full picture of energy in the society Energy Balances –One table –All energy products –All economic activities –One energy unit Quality criteria for Energy Balances –User friendly – give an overall aggregated picture of energy situation –Comparabiliy – timeseries and internationally –Serve economic and environment statistics

4. 4 The result At present – many variations of energy balances. Aim is to present one international recommendation Level of details - fit into IRES. National variations – flexibility User friendly – user needs are changing Economic statistics and environment statistics. Integration (SEEA)