Ministry of Energy (Azerbaijan)

The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikasının Energetika Nazirliyi) is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulating the activities in the industry production and energy sector of Azerbaijan Republic.[1] The ministry is headed by Parviz Shahbazov.[2]

Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan Republic
Azərbaycan Respublikasının Energetika Nazirliyi
Coat of arms of Azerbaijan
Agency overview
FormedOctober 22, 2013
Headquarters88 H.Zardabi Street, Baku, Azerbaijan Republic AZ1012
Agency executive
Websitewww.mie.gov.az

History

The ministry was established according to the Presidential Decree No. 458 on April 18, 2001. Functions and obligations of the ministry were stipulated in the Presidential Decree No. 575 dated September 6, 2001. The statute of the ministry was approved by the Azerbaijani Parliament on May 15, 2006. Later, on 22 October 2013 this ministry was liquidated and its function were passed to the Ministry of Energy established on the same date according to Presidential Order No.3. Regulations of the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan were approved according to Presidential Decree No.149 on 11 April 2014.[3]

Structure

The ministry regulates the activities in the production and energy production complex. These activities include upstream and downstream activities, exploration and development of fields, operations of oil and gas refineries, power and heat generation, its supply and distribution through the networks, and so forth. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Azerkimya State Company, Azerigas Company, Azerenerji JSC, Azneftkimyamash JSC are all part of the complex. Main functions of the ministry are determination of prospective niches are preparation of state and regional programs to develop them, ensuring their realization; forecasting of production of various energy products; participation in international cooperation agreements in certain areas of energy sector; supervision of activities enforcing energy sector norms and laws; creation of friendly conditions for external and domestic investments in the sector; issuing of licenses; ensuring the sufficient supply of energy products in domestic markets; research and development in the sphere of energy; application of international standards and expertise within the country; preparation of activities directed at decreasing the potential losses during production, transportation, distribution and exploitation of energy resources; preparation of programs ensuring energy security of Azerbaijan Republic; ecological security assurance, etc.[4] On January 11, 2018, structural changes were conducted in the Ministry of Energy in order to optimize the administration. New departments and divisions were established, among them: Oil Chemistry Department, Internal Control Department. In addition, several other departments were reorganized.[5]

The Ministry of Industry and Energy of Azerbaijan Republic has agreements and cooperates with European Energy Charter, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Executive Committee of the CIS Energy Council, Organization for Economic Cooperation, US Agency for International Development, European Commission of European Union (INOGATE, TACIS, TRACECA), UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), International Atomic Energy Agency, Coordination Council for the development of oil transportation corridor within the framework of GUAM, World Trade Organization, Work Group for cooperation with NATO, Special Work Group of the UN Economic and Social Council, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, German KFW Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Asia Development Bank, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation.[6]

Cooperation with other countries

Germany

Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan held a meeting with the representatives of Eastern committee of German economy on 13 February 2018. Parviz Shahbazov mentioned that the history of economic and cultural cooperation of Azerbaijan with Germany started 200 years ago, when the German from Vurtemberg moved to Azerbaijan. Also he noted that more than 200 Germany based firms operate in Azerbaijan. “Uniper” company plays a role in the development of this cooperation too. It is also one of the companies, which is going to buy gas from Shahdeniz Stage 2 Azerbaijan and Germany are going to exploit the alternative energy with the aim of strengthening economic relations.[7]

Saudi Arabia

On 16 January 2018, delegation from Azerbaijan lead by Parviz Shahbazov visited Saudi Arabia. The delegation of Azerbaijan had a meeting with Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, during which the cooperation in energy sector was discussed. Xalid Abdulaziz Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Natural Resources, mentioned that the branch of “Saudi Aramco” company will operate in Azerbaijan.[8]

Czech Republic

Azerbaijan and Czech Republic are currently working on a new inter-ministerial energy agreement. “The essence of the document is to underline the strategic importance of supplies of Azerbaijani oil to the Czech Republic, but also to facilitate the cooperation in the development of alternative energy sources (e.g. the hydro power and other green energy sources) and create conditions for the involvement of entrepreneurial subjects in energy projects in both countries,” Thomas Huner, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade said. Azerbaijani oil represent one third of oil consumption in Czech Republic.[9]

Southern Gas Corridor

Due to the Southern gas corridor, gas will be transported from the Caspian region to Europe. The main source of gas will be Shah Deniz Stage 2. Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan cooperates with BP for the realization of this project in Caspian Region. First, Gas will be supplied to Georgia and Turkey in 2018. Thereafter, in 2020, gas is expected to be delivered to Europe.[10]

See also

Further reading

References
  1. "Azərbaycan Respublikasının Sənaye və Energetika Nazirliyi. ÜMUMİ MƏLUMAT" [Ministry of Industry and Energy of Azerbaijan Republic. General Information]. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  2. "New Deputy Energy Minister of Azerbaijan appointed". AzerNews.az. 2017-12-25. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  3. "Azərbaycan Respublikasının Energetika Nazirliyi". minenergy.gov.az. Archived from the original on 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  4. "Sənaye və Energetika Nazirliyi" [Ministry of Industry and Energy]. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  5. "Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan makes structural changes – Caspian Barrel". caspianbarrel.org. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  6. "THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND INDUSTRY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN". Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  7. "Azərbaycan Respublikasının Energetika Nazirliyi". minenergy.gov.az. Archived from the original on 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  8. "Azərbaycan Respublikasının Energetika Nazirliyi". minenergy.gov.az. Archived from the original on 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  9. "Azerbaijan, Czech Republic to ink new energy deal (Exclusive)". Trend.Az. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  10. "The Southern Gas Corridor | Shah Deniz | Operations and projects | BP Caspian". bp.com. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
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