Process Used for the Development of the National Energy Policies in Pacific Island Countries
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Process used for the Development of the National Energy Policies in Pacific Island Countries By Anare Matakiviti, PIEPSAP Energy Adviser Secretariat of Pacific Islands Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Mead Road, Nabua GPO Private Mail Bag, Suva FIJI ISLANDS Acknowledgement This document has been made possible through the efforts of the following people: (1) Gerhard Zieroth, PIEPSAP Project Manager, for his guidance and valuable advice in the implementation of the PIEPSAP project. (2) Yogita Chandra Bhikabhai, PIEPSAP Project Officer, for consistently putting up with my inequity with respect to issues pertaining energy and gender. (3) Thomas Jensen, Sustainable Renewable Energy Adviser, UNDP, Samoa, for providing very useful comments on the draft versions. (4) Paul Fairbairn, Manager Community Lifelines Programme, for his comments and editing work - providing clarity where ambiguities exist. I also want to thank Lala Bukarau for the editorial work, without which it might be difficult to capture the intent and meaning of the some of the statements used. I wish to acknowledge all the PICs that PIEPSAP has had the opportunity to work with and assisted in developing their national energy policies and commend all energy officials and stakeholders who participated in their development. Freely sharing their experiences has been a source of inspiration and I should state here that I have learnt more from them then they from me. Last but not the least, the government of Denmark for sponsoring the PIEPSAP project, without which this document would not exist. ii Disclaimer I take full responsibility for any error, ambiguity or discrepancy found in this document. The views expressed here should not be interpreted as the official view of SOPAC or any institution or agency nor any person mentioned above. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................ i Acronyms ........................................................................................................................ v Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 2 2. National Energy Policy Framework .......................................................................... 3 3. Overview of Methodology ........................................................................................ 5 4. Stakeholder Consultations ....................................................................................... 7 5. Team Composition .................................................................................................. 8 6. Consultation Workshops ........................................................................................ 10 6.1 Situation Analysis .......................................................................................... 10 6.2 Terms of Reference for (PIEPSAP) Technical Assistance.............................. 11 6.3 First Workshop – Strategic Areas and Policy Statements .............................. 11 6.4 Inception Report ............................................................................................ 12 6.5 Second Consultation Workshop – Policy Development .................................. 12 6.6 Third Consultation Workshop - Strategies and Action Plans .......................... 14 6.7 Cabinet Endorsement .................................................................................... 14 7. Training ................................................................................................................. 14 7.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 15 7.2 Objectives of Training .................................................................................... 17 7.3 Scope of the Training ..................................................................................... 17 8. Lessons Learnt .......................................................................................................... 18 9. Conclusion and Recommendations ........................................................................... 19 References .................................................................................................................... 23 Annex I: Example of PIEPSAP Country Situation Analysis Report Annex II: Annex II: Example of Terms of Reference for PIEPSAP Technical Assistance iv Acronyms NETF National Energy Task Force NEPF National Energy Policies NSDS National Sustainable Development Strategies PIEP Pacific Islands Energy Policy PICs Pacific Island Countries PIEPSAP Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning SIDS Small Island Developing States SOPAC Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission SDS Sustainable Development Strategies SPM Strategic Planning and Management TA Technical Assistance ToR Terms of Reference UNDP United Nations Development Programme v Executive Summary This document describes the methodology adopted by PIEPSAP for the development of National Energy Policies in Pacific Island Countries as well as lessons learnt and recommendations for future assistance. The intent to document the process is to provide some guidance to PIC energy officials in energy policy development and planning. However, the document is not a blue print nor is it a solution to the problem faced by many PICs in formulating appropriate energy policy instruments, it is merely a documentation of the process adopted by PIEPSAP in developing national energy policies in PICs. It is hoped that the document will be of use to PIC energy officials when reviewing or formulating their national energy policies. PIEPSAP utilized a participatory and consultative process in the development of the National Energy Policies of PICs. To facilitate the above process there were two teams established at national level for the purpose of discussing issues pertaining to energy sector planning and development. These issues are considered critical to energy sector policies and they range from the importation of petroleum products to the efficient use of energy to building capacity in PICs in the area of policy development and strategic energy planning. Although PICs differ in sizes, population, economic development and natural resource endowment, they share many commonalities that can justify a generic energy policy that is relevant to all. The involvement of all key stakeholders in the development of energy policy ensures wider acceptance and ownership. It is imperative that the energy policy is formulated not in isolation of other sector policies due to the fact that energy is a critical input to other sector development programmes. To be effective the energy policy requires strong commitment from governments through the allocation of the right level of resources and the establishment of organisatational and institutional mechanisms that support its implementation. 1. Introduction This document summarizes the process that was employed by the Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning (PIEPSAP) project in the support to the development of National Energy Policy Frameworks (NEPFs) in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). In addition key lessons learned and tentative recommendations are summarized. PIEPSAP is a four (4) year project funded by the Government of Denmark through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC). PIEPSAP was established with an aim to improve the capacity of PICs to develop practical national energy policies, and the strategic action plans and mechanisms to implement these policies. At the end of PIEPSAP there is expected to be a framework within most PICs of practical and achievable energy policies and action plans approved at Cabinet level, and changes (e.g. laws, regulations, and incentives), which will contribute towards measurable progress toward the regional Pacific Islands Energy Policy (PIEP) vision of “available, reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy for the sustainable development for all Pacific islanders.” PIEPSAP’s overall strategy contains the following elements: • A menu of options tailored to individual PIC needs; • Flexibility to adjust to changing needs; • Building upon the work of others; • Addressing poverty, equity and gender issues; • Raising the profile of energy in the region; and, • Building the capacities of PICs in energy policies and planning. PIEPSAP is now well established as a Pacific regional technical assistance facility with multiple linkages to other energy initiatives and donors. Responding to PIC needs using the ‘Menu of Options’ approach has proven to be very effective. Development of energy policies, regulatory frameworks, strategic plans and project development has been progressing well. Increasingly PIEPSAP has managed to deliver integrated energy 2 sector support covering vertical and horizontal integration of policy development and planning including at project level. 2. National Energy Policy Framework As a National Energy Policy Framework (NEPF) represents the Government's vision for the development of its national energy sector over a certain time frame, it is important that it specifies briefly and precisely the Government's goals and