State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Source

The State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources, SAARES is a governmental agency under the Ministry of Industry and Energy mandated by the Cabinet of Ministers.It serves as the principal regulatory institution in the sphere of alternative and renewable energy in the Republic of Azerbaijan.The State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources (SAARES) was established following a Presidential Decree on July 16, 2009 as a part of the Ministry of Industry and Energy.

Duties of the Agency

The Agency has the mandate of the principal regulatory institution in the sphere of alternative and renewable energy and is tasked with assessment of sustainable energy potential, shaping relevant policies, including tariff policy, elaboration and enforcement of relevant procedures such as issue of special permissions to the public and private entities to construct power generation facilities.

In spring 2011, SAARES in cooperation with UNDP launched a new project on ‘Promoting Development of Sustainable Energy in Azerbaijan’. This project became possible with the financial support of €500,000 provided by the European Commission and $790,000 contributed by the Government of Norway. Azerbaijan’s energy production is currently largely reliant on the exploitation of the country’s hydrocarbon reserves and while the development of renewable energy is one of the government’s strategic priorities, the legal and institutional environment are not yet attractive for potential investors. This project aims to assist the Government of Azerbaijan to overcome those barriers by reviewing and amending existing legal and institutional frameworks. The implementation of this project will be a significant step in contributing to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Azerbaijan.[