"We have to bravely follow a market economy path"
Heydar Aliyev, Nationwide Leader of Azerbaijan
The Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication hosted the discussion on the state of implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Utilities (electricity and thermal energy, water and gas supply). During the event, such issues as coordination of the activities of executive bodies, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the successful implementation of the upcoming tasks were discussed. For implementing the Strategic Roadmap, it is planned to implement measures on 7 strategic targets and14 strategic priorities.
Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications, said: “During the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Utilities (electricity and thermal energy, water and gas supply), a number of important measures were taken. As a result of reforms carried out in the field of public utilities, the annual consumption of natural gas at low tariffs among the population increased by almost 30% from 1,700 to 2,200 cubic meters. At the same time, as a result of gasification, the level of gas supply in the country reached 95.7%. The North 2 ES with a total capacity of 400 MW was commissioned. Along with this, compared with August of the previous year, in August of 2019, electricity production increased by 200 million kW or 10.5% and reached 2.14 billion kW. ”
During the discussion, it was noted that the main areas of this roadmap include ensuring sustainability and efficiency in regulating the public utilities sector, ensuring a fully diversified and environmentally friendly electricity production, introducing world standards of medium efficiency and quality, as well as launching mechanisms to achieve goals. At the same time, measures to develop an efficient gas distribution infrastructure, create a high-level water management structure, reduce losses in water supply, create a sustainable and reliable heat supply infrastructure are also among necessary steps.
As a result of reforms carried out jointly with the executive bodies, compared to the appropriate period of the last year, from January to June 2019, the number of appeals from citizens submitted to OJSC “Azerishig” in electronic format or through the services of “ASAN” and “ASAN Kommunal” increased for more than 2 times. The number of appeals from entrepreneurs increased almost 3 times. In addition, for the first 7 months of 2019, electricity meters were installed in 2,800 facilities of the entrepreneurs (who applied) which is almost 3 times more when compared with the corresponding period of the last year. Reforms in this area also contribute to the advancement of Azerbaijan in the Doing Business report. So, when comparing with the corresponding period of the last year, according to the indicator “Connection to electricity supply networks”, Azerbaijan advance for 28 steps.
The representatives of the following structures participated at the discussion of the Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Utilities (electricity and thermal energy, water and gas supply): Presidential Administration, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Economy, State Committee on Property Issues, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population,Ministry of Finance, Tariff (price) Council, State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President, SOCAR, "Azerenergy" OJSC, "Azreishig" OJSC, "Azeristiliktejhizat" OJSC and "Azersu" OJSC.
