2007 Press releases

Four day training on Energy Regulation and Tariff Development concluded, November 9, 2007

Pristina, November 9, 2007 – A four-day training on energy regulation and tariff development concluded yesterday in Pristina.  The training was designed to provide Kosovar stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss approaches to energy-sector regulation and the need for such regulation as part of overall sector-reform strategy and its implementation. The training presented fundamental concepts of market-based economic regulation, a discussion of institutional requirements for effective regulation, and the policy and legal approaches that are needed for promotion of a sustainable and robust sector.

“The creation of a stable, competent, transparent, accountable yet independent energy-sector regulator is crucial to reduce the risk perceived by investors and attract investment into the sector,“ said Michael Farbman, USAID Mission Director at the opening of the training. “A well-governed and transparent sector - with a regulatory body exhibiting these characteristics as its centerpiece – will see owners of private capital compete for the opportunity to enter the sector,” he continued. 

The training, led by Dr. Vidmantas Jankuskas, former Chairman of the National Commission for Control of Energy and Prices in Lithuania, was organized into thematic modules. The first day provided general information to a wide audience including journalists, legislators, consumer groups, and university students, while the rest of the training was more narrowly focused on the regulatory process, tariff development, the application of economic principles and theory in regulation, and the roles and responsibilities of various institutions in energy-sector reform.  Numerous case-studies from countries of Europe and North America were incorporated into hands-on modules throughout the training.  Specialists from Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, the United States, and Kosovo led the week-long training event.

The training is part of USAID’s support to the energy sector in Kosovo in partnership with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA).

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.