Key energy sector policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries gathered on 26-27 June 2014, in Kathmandu, Nepal for the SAARC Energy Centre (SEC) Workshop on Harmonizing Regulations and Policies for Cross Border Power Trade, Risk Sharing and Financial Settlement Issues. Discussions focused on promoting regional power trade, and in particular:

● Issues and challenges associated with power exchange, and harmonization of regulations and policies;
● How member nations will benefit from a SAARC power market;
● Creating an enabling regulatory environment for SAARC regional power trading;

● Role of the private sector in the construction, maintenance and operation of trans-border power lines;
● Operational issues for cross-border trade;
● Strategies to improve the role of independent power producers and utilities in cross-border power trade; and
● Power trade agreements for cross-border power trade.

Other key goals included

• Helping SAARC countries plan long term regional strategies to maximize the usage and potential of the regional power market;
• Creating linkages of a regional power market with economic growth, geopolitical changes and shared prosperity in South Asia; and
• Connecting South and Central Asian power systems.

Participants attended from eight SAARC member countries and comprised policy makers, regulators, senior representatives from ministries of energy and the private energy sector.

The SAARC Energy Centre organized the Workshop in collaboration with the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal and the Independent Power Producers Association of India acting as knowledge partner.

Related Links:

Workshop Materials and Presentations
SAARC Energy Centre
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation