RENAC: Azerbaijani decision makers to get the know how on improving energy efficiency

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starting February, Azerbaijani political and business decision-makers will be able to attend the “Training in Energy Efficiency” (TrEff) programme. This international programme is being offered by the Renewables Academy (RENAC), based in Germany. Running under the umbrella branding of "Energy Efficiency - made in Germany", the project is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) as part of its Energy Efficiency Export Initiative.

“To enhance energy efficiency, know-how about available technologies, possible support mechanisms, economics and financing is fundamental. Therefore we aim to give a contribution in Azerbaijan through the TrEff project”

A first series of seminars will be held in Baku from 4 - 8 February 2013 and will focus on “Energy Efficiency in Industry and Commerce”. It will be supported by the project partners, the German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) and the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA). At a second seminar in June 2013, issues around "Energy efficiency in buildings" will take centre stage. In addition, a preparatory online training and an advanced series of seminars in Berlin in autumn 2013 will be offered.

The potential for energy savings throughout the Azerbaijani economy are significant, lying at about 30%. This figure covers industry, the building sector and the energy industry itself, where out-of-date power generating and consuming equipment leads to unnecessarily high power losses. The benefits that an energy-efficient economy can bring have been recognized in Azerbaijan and energy efficiency legislation has already been drafted accordingly. The aim of the seminars, within the TrEff - programme in Azerbaijan, is to consolidate and expand the knowledge of representatives from the relevant institutions and government authorities about energy efficiency technologies, so that the existing potential for energy conservation can be realised and the desired national energy policy objectives achieved. Furthermore, the TrEff seminars bring perspectives as to how the local economy can be boosted by the development of energy efficiency technologies, and likewise how the international competitiveness of local enterprises can be enhanced.

“To enhance energy efficiency, know-how about available technologies, possible support mechanisms, economics and financing is fundamental. Therefore we aim to give a contribution in Azerbaijan through the TrEff project”, was how Uta Zähringer, who is leading the RENAC project, explained it. The TrEff project has developed out of the TREE project (Transfer Renewable Energy and Efficiency). TREE was launched as one of RENAC’s training programmes in 2008, focusing on renewable energies. To date, participants in politics and business from 51 countries have been trained worldwide. Azerbaijan has been partner country since 2011.

RENAC, an international provider of capacity building services and specialized in the green energy sector, has fostered its engagement in the Azerbaijan education sector already in December 2012. This was when Khazar University and RENAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a meeting with the founder of Khazar University Professor Hamlet Isakhanli about a future cooperation regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency education.

Further Information: www.renac.de; www.efficiency-from-germany.info